Report 5 of 8

This report presents the findings of a focus group discussion held with six counselling coordinators from three Family Courts in New Zealand. It is the fifth report in a series of eight publications resulting from a research programme on custody and access issues in the Family Courts undertaken by the Policy and Research Division of the Department of Justice. It became apparent that the role of counselling coordinators was a significant one when research into the clients' experience of custody and access court processes was undertaken. (See Research Report 4.) In this report, a content analysis of the group discussion is undertaken. Information and discussion is provided on counsellors and counselling in the Family Court, lawyers, counsel for the child, case managers (their role in sexual abuse cases), specialist reports, delays, and safety at the Court, all in the context of custody and access cases.