“Family Court makes disputes worse” – 1999

Letters to the Editor and an Editorial in response to two articles published in The Australian on 24-26/12/1999 “Court Out – One man’s battle for his kids” “Court Out – Trial Separation” Justice Nicholson claims that the Family Court “assists parties to resolve their disputes” (Letters, 27/12). I beg to differ. The very nature of the

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Striking a balance on violence orders – editorial opinion 1999

[Eds note: There’s plenty of opportunities to respond to this editorial about the incorrect assumption that only women and children are victims of domestic violence. The Australian is trying to create further discussion – so please write in to Post GPO Box 4162 Sydney NSW 2001or Fax to 02 9288 2824 or 02 9288 3077

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Families need new ways of ending strife

The Australian Editorial written in response to  the “Court Out” and “Trial Separation” articles that appeared on Friday 24 December. Christmas and New Year is a time of happiness and family security – but not for everyone. It is also a period that reveals the strain and conflict within some relationships and families. Fortunately, there is

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COURT OUT – Trial Separation – 1999

Which court? In the near future the Family Court may not be so famous, or infamous, depending on your point of view. As more engaged couples get nudged into marriage education, fewer may end up in court as a breakdown statistic. More families in trouble will be encouraged to see their local psychologist for mediation rather than the court registry. Of the few that who must litigate their way out of relationship conflict, more will go before an informal magistrate, not a superior judge of the Family Court.

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COURT OUT One man’s battle for his kids – 1999

More than a million Australian children will spend Christmas in a broken home. As the Government tries to improve family justice, ‘Mr X’ tells of his personal voyage of despair. “Don’t cry, you will lose your children for sure,” your barrister says sternly; and inside all you can feel are waves of distress. For you

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AVOs: Apprehended violence industry or disease?

About the author: Trevor Nyman is an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law and adjunct professor at University of Technology, Sydney. He is a foundation member of the Criminal Law Committee and supervising editor of the College of Law papers on crime and advocacy. SINCE 1951 THERE HAVE BEEN provisions in the NSW Crimes Act for

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Broken Homes and Violated Innocence – Child Abuse – 1999

 The first step toward reducing child abuse is to recognise the circumstance under which it occurs, writes Barry Maley. Stories this year of some horrendous child abuse and even child murder have made us acutely aware of a facet of adult behaviour we would prefer not to think about. Crime figures are collected by the

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