Newton v Family Court - [2022] 3 NZLR 846

Family Court — Decision to order psychological report in respect of children — Role of lawyer for the child — Whether views of children should be obtained before psychological report ordered under s 133 — Appropriateness of judicial review of s 133 orders — Ability to seek judicial review of reports by lawyer for the child — Pre-determination — Whether decision to make s 133 orders pre-determined by Family Court judge — Removal of documents from court file — Recall application of minute issued by judge — Whether challenged documents remaining on Family Court file creating risk of future bias — United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child arts 3 and 12.

Lawyers and practitioners — Lawyer for the child — Role of lawyer for the child — Whether reports by lawyer for the child amenable to judicial review — Appointment under statutory provisions — Judicial Review Procedure Act 2016 s 5 and 5(2)(e).