Family Court

How do I make a complaint about someone working in the Court?

If you have a complaint about the way in which your case has been managed by the court or someone you have dealt with in the court, you should speak to the court registry officer whom you have been dealing with, or their manager. You can ask to do this in person, over the telephone, or in writing.

How do I make a complaint about my lawyer or the lawyer for the child?

If you wish to make a complaint during the course of the hearing about the lawyer for the child the Judge hearing your case will deal with it.

If you wish to make a complaint after your case has finished, your complaint will be referred to the Regional Administrative Judge.

If you have a complaint about your own lawyer, you will need to contact the Lawyers Complaint Service. 

How do I make a complaint about a counsellor?

All Family Court counsellors are members of a professional body. Complaints should be made in writing to the relevant professional body for that counsellor. If you do not know which professional body to contact, ask your Family Court.

How do I make a complaint about a specialist report writer?

Doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists who write specialist reports are registered and belong to professional bodies.

However, the Family Court should deal with most complaints made where the proceedings are pending, in progress or have concluded. If you have one, you should tell your lawyer about the complaint in the first instance.

How your complaint is managed will vary depending on what stage you are at in your proceedings. You can discuss your complaint with your lawyer or the Family Court Co-ordinator.

Complaints to be dealt with by the Court where proceedings are pending or in progress should be referred to the presiding Judge. Complaints after proceedings have concluded should be referred to the Regional Administrative Family Court Judge.

If your complaint is made before or during the course of the hearing, you should tell your lawyer if you have one. The Judge may deal with the complaint. This will usually be done by way of cross-examination, submission, critique, or evidence called on behalf of the complainant.

Where a complaint to the Family Court relates to proceedings that have concluded, the Regional Administrative Family Court Judge will consider the complaint and produce a minute containing the view of the Court regarding the complaint. The complaint and minute need not be referred to the Board unless it appears to the Judge there are issues of competence, or other issues best dealt with by the Board in accordance with paragraph 16.8.

How do I make a complaint about a mediator?

Complaints about a mediator (under counsel-led mediation) should be made to the Court in the first instance.

Complaints about mediators will usually be referred to the New Zealand Law Society in the first instance but may also be referred to the Abitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ)or LEADR if the mediator is a member of one of these professional bodes.

Can I complain about a Judge?

Yes you can, although complaining about a Judge is a serious matter.

If your complaint is about the outcome of the case then you generally have a right to appeal or review the decision. In those cases a complaint against the Judge is not appropriate.

If you wish to complain about a Family Court Judge you can write to:

The Principal Family Court Judge

PO Box 10167
Wellington

If you wish to complain about the Principal Family Court Judge you can write to:

The Chief District Court Judge
PO Box 10167
Wellington

You can also make a complaint through the judicial complaints process. Complaints must be made in writing. You must identify the Judge you are complaining about, either by name or by description. You should also say which Court the Judge is a member of.

Further information

Information on the judicial complaints process.