Review of the Family Court Practice Note

The Family Court’s Practice Note (June 2006), which sets out the requirements and recommended procedures agreed for the appointment of Specialist Report Writers and covers matters such as management of complaints, has now been in use for more than three years.

While both the Family Court and the Psychologists Board are very satisfied with how the Note has been working, we are aware that a small number of practitioners and members of the public have expressed concerns regarding certain aspects of the Note (and in particular the section on management of complaints). The Board have therefore decided to conduct a review of the Note, to inform any advice we might then offer to the Family Court.

While reviewers are free to comment on any aspect of the Note, Section 15 (Complaints) seems to be of most concern to those who have commented previously. It should be noted that some early reviewers mistakenly interpreted the Note in a manner that suggested the Psychologists Board had ceded its ultimate responsibility and authority regarding complaint management to the Family Court. To the contrary, “both the New Zealand Psychologists Board and the Family Court are clear that the Board have always retained the right to make the ultimate decision as to whether or not a complaint is progressed through its pathways.” (Quote taken from Principal Family Court Judge P. Boshier’s recent letter to the New Zealand Law Journal.)

A copy of the Practice Note can be accessed here.

Submissions can be sent to:

The Registrar

New Zealand Psychologists Board

PO Box 10-626

WELLINGTON 6143

Please note that the deadline for submissions is January 29, 2010.