Judge Stephen Coyle – Whāngai Decision
It is, as we know, unusual to see Family Court decisions in the media. While this one has its basis in a dispute between the court and the Ministry of Social Development over a Whāngai (informal adoption) case I have highlighted the authoritive statement by this judge which I am sure many will find interesting.
Judge Coyle said that attitude was concerning on several levels, and was an example of the agency showing indifference to the courts.
“If a court duly constituted by law makes a positive finding that there has been no abuse, then it is inexcusable for the executive arm of government to think it knows better than the rule of law and to ignore findings made by the court.
“If a court duly constituted by law makes a positive finding that there has been no abuse, then it is inexcusable for the executive arm of government to think it knows better than the rule of law and to ignore findings made by the court.”
Zero sympathy for Judge Coyle’s point of view. This court should have thought of that before being so biased that even the executive arm of the government now treats it with contempt.
A flip of the coin would get better outcomes than the family court. Female parents are rewarded by the court on a daily basis for “…think[ing] [they] knows better than the rule of law and to ignore findings made by the court.”
Why would the executive arm of the government place much weight on the findings of the family court?
In the experience of thousands of fathers for 4 decades the only people required to abide by the findings of the family court are male parents.
It’s a bit rich for Judge Coyle to get all precious about it now.
It’s not like the family court has reformed in any meaningful way or anything.
Comment by Vman — Wed 27th June 2018 @ 8:31 pm
Judges should be paid according to the community respect that they have accumulated.
Perhaps Judge Coyle should be paying to keep his “job”?
Judges like to insult families by describing them as dysfunctional. They are often right, when mental health issues have affected the behaviour of one or both parties. Of course, familycaught$ only makes the problems worse.
I agree, that the most dysfunctional of all is familycaught$. Their mental health problems need to be addressed. Secrecy is the first issue to look at. They are miraculously and instantly different people, when they can sense accountability and disclosure to the public.
Yet they always get away with the money…… (Protect yourself!)
Comment by Murray Bacon — Thu 28th June 2018 @ 7:52 am
Concerned after reading Judge Stephen Coyles comments. He was a circuit judge here in Dunedin nz 2009/10. I feel concerned he is commenting on whangai Tamariki Issues. As an older wahine I used to notice that in his time in Dunedin District court he was a gender biased and Maori Biased Judge indeed. He has a very florid complexion is a known heavy drinker. In fact when I was a younger person in charge of a bar here in dunedin I had to ask him to leave for intoxication and inappropriate conduct. I really feel after his erratic sentencing pattern. Easy on some Tough on others A biased racist man who should never ever been allowed to sit on a court bench. I had personal dealings with him in the court The outcome was not good. I am a Maori and a social justice advocate he sentenced to 24 weeks prison for expressing my opinion around the draconian laws from England our systems are still straddled with, He did not like hearing the freedom of expression or TRUTH/
Comment by Denise Andersen-PARATA — Sun 2nd October 2022 @ 12:50 am