- Relationship break up
- Separation & divorce
- Care of children
- About Family Court
- Information for families and whānau during COVID-19
- Family violence
When you go through the Family Court to sort out disputes about children, the judge often appoints an independent lawyer for the children. This lawyer is called the lawyer for the child.
The judge will decide if you and the other people involved in the case have to pay some of the lawyer for child's costs.
Find out more about Cost Contribution Orders
The lawyer for the child:
Sometimes the lawyer will ask the child if they want to meet the judge and sometimes the judge will ask to meet them. Usually, the meeting will only involve the judge, a court official, the child and the lawyer for the child.
The lawyer will want to talk to the child. This might be at home, at school, at the lawyer’s office or some other place – whatever the child is most comfortable with. The child doesn’t have to talk to the lawyer but most children like being able to talk to someone about what’s happening.
What the child says to their lawyer is confidential. The lawyer can’t tell anyone else what the child said if the child doesn’t want them to; except if the lawyer finds out the child or someone else may be unsafe.
The lawyer for the child might also spend time with each parent separately and with other people who are important in the child’s life. This might be members of the wider family, whānau, teachers or social workers.
You don’t have to talk to the lawyer for the child. However, it’s a good way to: