Demonstrations at Lawyers' Homes

11 April 2006

Media release for immediate use -- 10 April2006

Simon Maude is theChair of the Family Law Section of the New Zealand LawSociety. He expresses concern about the recent picketing offamily lawyers' homes by members of a men's group in theAuckland area, as follows.

Recently, the website of agroup of men issued an invitation to its members to furtherdemonstrations outside lawyers' homes with these words: "Itis expected that a reporter from the Herald, one from theCentral Leader and possibly TV3 will attend so a good turnout would be good for our cause but never mind that it sgreat fun and empowering to stick it to those cockroachesanyway."

While this may appear to be harmless fun to some,the reality for the lawyers on the receiving end is thatthey have been subjected to insulting and abusive attacks,much of which has been amplified through a loudspeakersystem to the annoyance of anyone in the immediateneighbourhood. These actions have not only upset thelawyers involved but also their children, who, in somecases, have been frightened and quite disturbed by theexperience.

If the intention of these groups has been toembarrass and offend the lawyers, then to a certain extentthey have been successful. If their intention has been tofrighten the lawyers children, then they have probably alsosucceeded, but why and at what cost?

While the Family LawSection would not challenge the group s right to demonstrateto seek changes in family law, the Section believes theyhave misdirected their energies by engaging in personalattacks on lawyers and their families.

It may be thatthere is a misunderstanding of the role of lawyers in theFamily Court and in particular the role of lawyers appointedto represent children. The men demonstrating may haveassumed that lawyers for the children have much greaterpower and influence than is in fact the case. The role ofthe lawyer acting for the child is largely to represent thechild's views to the Court.

The reality is that mostlawyers representing children also act, at other times, foradult parties in proceedings involving children. Asadvocates they are required to do their best to representthe interests of all their clients, whether they are adultsor children. Children s lawyers do not make the decisionsabout the children, the Court does.

To take actionagainst family lawyers at their homes will not effectchanges to the system but will cause distress to theirchildren and the children of the neighbourhood who, notsurprisingly, find demonstrations outside their homesintimidating and frightening.

Simon Maude

Chair

FamilyLaw Section

New Zealand LawSociety

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