Legislation that will revamp the Family Court system has passed its third and final reading in Parliament.
The Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill will establish a Dispute Resolution Service, which will use trained mediators to work through issues with both parties in a family disagreement.
Attendance at the service will be mandatory for those making applications to the Family Court.
Justice Minister Judith Collins says the changes will reduce the cost of running the Family Court, which has ballooned by 70% over the past six years.
The legislation was passed by 61 votes to 57.
