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Complaints

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 another lawyer or the lawyer for the child the Judge hearing your case will deal with it.

If your complaint is about another matter, for example, your lawyer's fees, you should contact the District Law Society covering the area in which the lawyer practices.

The Court is not able to deal with complaints about the lawyers involved after the case has finished.

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.

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.

How do I make a complaint about a psychologist?

The Family Court should deal with most complaints made where the proceedings are pending, in progress or have concluded.

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.

The Practice Note- Specialist Writers (1 June 2006) sets out how complaints should be managed where proceedings are pending, in progress, or have been concluded (see www.justice.govt.nz).

15.4 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.

15.5 Where a complaint to the Family Court relates to proceedings that are pending or in progress, the Court will deal with the complaint, where possible, either before the hearing or in the course of the hearing, for example, through cross-examination, submission, or evidence called on behalf of the complainant.

15.6 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 15.4.

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 Judge's conduct, you can 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.

If you wish to make a complaint about a Family Court Judge you should write to:

The Chief District Court Judge
PO Box 10167
Wellington

If you wish to make a complaint about the Principal Family Court Judge you should write to:

The Chief District Court Judge
PO Box 10167
Wellington

Further information

Information on the judicial complaints process.