Insight for Sunday 21 July 2013

Thirty years after the Family Court was established, the Justice Minister, Judith Collins is bringing in an overhaul of the system.

Some of the key changes contained in the Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill include the  establishment of a Family Disputes Resolution Service, and a reduction in counselling and lawyer involvement early in the separation process.

However critics say the Bill's primary focus is on saving money and it attracted almost 4-hundred submissions ahead of Select Committee hearings earlier this year.

Following the Select committee hearings the Minister amended some of the Bill's key elements.

Our Court reporter, Ann Marie May looks at the proposed Family Court reforms and those who'll be affected by them.