Children to get say in custody battles
Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier says the Care of Children Bill before Parliament will see more children being heard directly in court and their views given more weight.
Judges had traditionally not welcomed directly interviewing children in Family Court cases, preferring to learn their wishes through psychologists’ reports, Judge Boshier said yesterday.
But many children were able to express their wishes and should be given the ability to do so, he told a Psychological Society seminar on the Family Court.
A recent High Court ruling on a Family Court case emphasised that the wishes of children should primarily be heard through an interview by the judge or via the lawyer appointed to represent the child in court.
I totally support this I am in the midst of a nasty separation my eldest daughter being 12 is screaming to be heard but her opinion doesnt count, funny they wanted it to when they were trying the allegation tactics!!!!! Best thing that could happen in society for Children. I believe my case would be an awesome pilot for christchurch
Comment by D Ward — Sat 4th September 2004 @ 11:11 pm