NCJ Number
136661
Date Published
1991
Length
217 pages
Annotation
A questionnaire survey gathered information regarding the effectiveness of the Family Court in New Zealand in dealing with child custody and access disputes.
Abstract
Questionnaires were developed for each of three professional groups: attorneys representing children involved in these cases, Department of Social Welfare report writers, and specialist report writers who had been appointed to custody and access cases in their regions in either 1987 or 1988. The surveys took place in June-August 1989 and received 67 responses (74 percent) from attorneys, 22 responses (85 percent) from specialist report writers, and 23 responses (55 percent) from Department of Social Welfare report writers. Information was gathered on the respondent's demographic characteristics and professional background, caseloads, the timing of appointments, experiences, and views. The majority of respondents from all three groups believed that the court adequately took care of the child's welfare and that unnecessary family disruption seldom occurred. Respondents reported that further training would be useful and that court requirements regarding assessment and the content of reports would need clarification. The respondents who had handled cases involving Maori parties reported that they sometimes handled these cases differently from other cases. Tables and appended methodological information, additional results, and glossary