Family Court -
a "closed court"

The Family Court is referred to as a "closed court". This means that the general public are not allowed to be present during your hearing before a Family Court Judge.

If you attend any District Court in New Zealand dealing with criminal proceedings, you will usually be allowed to sit in the public gallery at the back of the court and watch. There will be various people entering and leaving the court.

In the Family Court there is no public gallery at the back of the courtroom. The only people allowed to be present in the courtroom when your issues are being discussed with a Family Court Judge are you and the other party, the party's lawyers, the lawyer for child (if one has been appointed), the Judge and the court clerk. Support persons such as family members are allowed to be present in the court, but this requires the consent of both parties to the proceedings and the Judge. Witnesses will also be present in the courtroom when it is their time to give their evidence.

Domestic violence proceedings in the Family Court

Applicant's who appear in domestic violence hearings seeking a protection order are entitled to the presence of a support person in the courtroom at a defended hearing. The other party's consent is not required in this case.

Contact Family Lawyer

Antoinette Vujnovich
m: 021 210 0930
e: info@edenfamilylaw.co.nz

Available by appointment at 102 Jervois Road, Herne Bay, Auckland.