Historic changes to Family Court system behind backlog?

The New Zealand Bar Association is adding its voice to concerns over the huge backlog of cases across the judicial system, that has prompted the Chief District Court Judge Jan-Marie Doogue to divert judges from criminal and civil hearings, to the Family Court, which has been the hardest hit. Significant changes were made to processes in the Family Court in 2014, under the Care of Children Act, and there is now a backlog of eight thousand cases waiting to be heard. Families now have the right to opt for a 'without notice' hearing - which allows them to bypass mediation, and go directly before a judge. Kate Davenport is the President elect of the NZ Bar Association.