NCJ Number
108735
Date Published
1984
Length
35 pages
Annotation
Interviews were conducted with over 70 individuals who had experience with or special interest in the New Zealand family courts to identify research issues that have emerged as a result of changes in family law legislation brought into effect in October 1981.
Abstract
The new legislation included the Family Proceedings Act, the Guardianship Amendment Act, the Family Courts Act, and the Social Security Amendment Act. Issues for evaluation and exploration related to 10 major areas: counseling; mediation; conferences; counsel for children; access, custody, and guardianship; specialist reports and expert witnesses; the multidisciplinary approach; selection and training standards; violent relationships; social groups; and court costs and organization. Many of the issues raised related to the court process, many concerned stages of the process, yet others are linked to the structure of society and the ways people relate to each other. While attitudes of the respondents toward the laws and the courts was generally positive, research is clearly needed regarding family court operations, how these operations are experienced by people, and how best to meet current and future requirements. List of interviewees, 5 footnotes, and 70 references.