How can I get help?
How can I get help?
If you are considering making an application or need to defend or respond to an application or order, you should seek legal advice. You can find a family lawyer through the Family Law Section, or your local Community Law Centre.
Anyone who needs a lawyer but can't afford one may be able to get legal aid. This is where the Government pays some or all of the lawyers bills. Information about Family legal aid can be found on the the Legal Aid pages of the Ministry of Justice website.
Court staff cannot provide you with legal advice. They can advise you on what form you need to complete to make an application and on court processes, but they cannot tell you what to say in your application.
Family Court Coordinators
Family Court coordinators are available at many Family Courts to provide information in relation to the Family Court and specialist services such as counselling. Family Court coordinators liaise with and make referrals to counsellors, specialist report writers, social workers and lawyer for the child.
Either call in or telephone your local Family Court to make an appointment to see the Family Court coordinator, or the manager if it is a smaller court where there is not a Family Court coordinator.
Family Court coordinators can also provide you with information on services available in your community.
Family Court registrars
The registrar of the Family Court may also be the manager of the Family Court. Registrars are able to exercise some judicial powers under various Acts, rules and regulations.
Court registry officers
Court registry officers are responsible for managing individual cases. Some case registry officers may also be appointed as registrars of the Family Court and are therefore able to exercise quasi-judicial powers.
If you have an enquiry in relation to your own case you should contact the responsible case registry officer whose name will be on correspondence you have received about your case.
