Proposed changes to the Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill are a positive step, says a law expert.
New Zealand Law Society Family Court Law Section chair Garry Collin is in a team which has been working on the proposals, announced last week by Justice Minister Judith Collins, since October 2010.
"The Family Law Section cannot be absolutely certain all the issues have been addressed until we see those changes, but we are confident we are on the right track and are looking forward to seeing the proposed amendments to the bill and working with the Ministry of Justice to ensure changes are appropriately implemented."
Mr Collin said about 350 submissions had been made but the "devil was in the detail of the proposed changes" that would come back to Parliament in June.
The proposed changes include up to four hours of legal support for parents who meet the legal-aid threshold before court, up to three hours of counselling to help parents make the most of Family Dispute Resolution (FDR), the ability for a judge to refer parties back to FDR if it can help resolve the case, and enabling lawyers to participate earlier in the court process at the judge's discretion.
Mr Collin said that after much debate, the Family Law Section supported the repeal of the "Bristol clauses" recommended by Justice Ronald Davidson after Wanganui man Alan Bristol killed his three children and himself.
The clause banned unsupervised contact with children by any parent alleged to have been violent toward them or their other parent.
Mr Collin said the Family Court would rely on another section which required that a child's safety must be protected before it made any order.
The New Zealand Family Law Section's submission on the bill supports the repeal as the clauses had become "a blunt instrument which can sometimes have a disproportionately adverse effect on parent, child and family relationships".
Mr Collin said the Family Law Section, the judiciary and almost all of those who provided submissions were pleased that Mrs Collins had listened to their concerns.
"The Family Law Section is very relieved that some of the concerns have been taken into account and are reflected in the changes.
"The Law Society has worked hard to ensure the government's proposed changes do not impact negatively on New Zealanders who enter the Family Court, and it will continue to work closely with the ministry."