The New Zealand Law Society has told Parliament’s Justice select committee it supports the principle of enabling children’s views to be heard in family proceedings, but the lack of an evidence-based model for how that will work in practice means the current legislative reform carries significant risks - including that it will not achieve the fundamental objective of enhancing children’s safe participation and wellbeing.

The Law Society’s Family Law Section presented its submission to the select committee on the Family Court (Supporting Children in Court) Legislation Bill, endorsing the Bill’s objective of enhancing children’s participation in decisions affecting their care and wellbeing.

"This is consistent with New Zealand’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and aligns with an increasing international commitment to enhancing children’s participation in private family law disputes," Law Society Family Law Section Chair Caroline Hickman told the committee.

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