Evidence (Giving Family Violence Evidence in Family Court Proceedings) Amendment Bill
This bill changes the rules for how victims of family violence can give evidence in the Family Court. Right now, if someone has to speak about family violence in court, they must usually do it in person, which can mean facing the other party. This bill would give victims the automatic right to give their evidence in a safer way — such as from a separate room or via a screen that blocks their view of certain people. A judge can still change this if there is a good reason.
What this affects
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Victims of family violence in the Family Court get an automatic right to give their evidence in a way that keeps them away from — or out of sight of — the person they are giving evidence about.
A witness in a Family Court proceeding who is to give or is giving family violence evidence is entitled to give evidence in 1 or more alternative ways so that— (a) the witness gives evidence in either or both of the following ways: (i) while in the courtroom but unable to see 1 or more other persons to whom the evidence relates… (ii) from an appropriate place outside the courtroom, either in New Zealand or elsewhere
'family violence evidence'… means evidence— (a) given or to be given by the witness orally in a Family Court proceeding… (b) of family violence that the witness experienced as a person against whom the family violence was inflicted
Progress through Parliament
Have your say
This bill is open for public submissions to the Justice Committee. Anyone can tell the committee what they think, and you don’t need to be an expert. Submissions close 6 November 2024.
Bill text sourced from legislation.govt.nz (Parliamentary Counsel Office). Arapono’s summary and breakdown are drafted with AI grounded in that official text and reviewed by an Arapono editor for accuracy and neutrality before publishing. Arapono is non-partisan and takes no position on this bill.