Welcome to the Family Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society.

The Family Law Section represents the interests of approximately 941 New Zealand family law practitioners. It has primary responsibility on behalf of the Society in all areas of family law and has a strong and active voice in relation to such issues as Family Courts management, the independence of the Family Court, Lawyer for Child rates, legal aid rates, and education.

NZLS Panel of Mediators

A new NZLS service - the NZLS Panel of Mediators - was launched this month for lawyers mediating in the family law jurisdiction, including those mediating in the Family Court’s Early Intervention Programme.

The service is currently available to members of the NZLS and its Family Law Section and has been developed to ensure that the quality of mediation undertaken by family lawyers is of the highest standard.

By joining the NZLS Panel of Mediators as a Family Specialist, you will be able to demonstrate that you have achieved a certain level of training and experience in family mediation, and that you are committed to maintaining a high standard of mediation in your practice.

A combination of practical experience, combined with professional development through teaching and learning, will help panel members to retain and further develop their specialised mediation skills.

The NZLS Panel of Mediators section on my.lawsociety.org.nz provides details on membership, accreditation and training, along with relevant resources, guidelines and precedents.

Family Law Section informal lunch - Lower Hutt

The Section has organised an informal lunch in Lower Hutt on Monday 13 February at 1.00pm to welcome Judge Mary O’Dwyer to Wellington. See the invitation (PDF, 280.1kb) for more information, including RSVP details.