We see false claims of domestic violence in family courts every day. For decades now, attorneys in family courts have been telling us that claims of domestic violence are routinely made to gain an advantage in custody cases. That’s another way of saying that many of those claims are made up. But of course, those claims will continue to be made for the good and sufficient reason that they work. They achieve the desired result – separate the other parent (almost invariably the father) from the child. Once that’s accomplished with a temporary order, it becomes much easier to make sole maternal custody permanent. After all, the child hasn’t seen his/her father since the start of the divorce action, so why change that when the permanent orders are made?
But what’s always amazed me and countless other observers of family courts is the utter failure of family court judges to care that they’re being lied to. As routine as those false claims of domestic abuse are, they’d be squelched in an instant if judges started using the powers they’ve always had to punish perjurers. The fact that they don’t is one of the many disgraces that hang around the neck of family law in this country like scarlett letters.
Do you feel Destroyed or abandoned by the Family Law System ? I DO! Feel free to share your experiences, feelings,opinions, strategies, support and resources here to benefit others.
Showing posts with label Ontario. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ontario. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Examining child custody issues in Canada: Part Two Read it on Global News: Global Edmonton | Examining child custody issues in Canada: Part Two
The family court system's separation of a child and parent after a divorce can sometimes have devastating consequences.
Read it on Global News: Global Edmonton | Examining child custody issues in Canada: Part Two
Read it on Global News: Global Edmonton | Examining child custody issues in Canada: Part Two
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Examining child custody issues in Canada: Part One Read it on Global News: Global Edmonton | Examining child custody issues in Canada: Part One
One in four Canadian marriages end in divorce, and many of those breakups are not amicable - especially when children are involved. Things can get even more messy if parents can't agree on the issue of custody. In those cases, it's up to a judge to decide an arrangement based on "the best interests of the child." And in Canada, that typically has meant awarding one parent with primary care.
The latest data from the Department of Justice shows mothers receive sole custody in 77 percent of cases, while fathers get it in only 9 percent of the time.
Read it on Global News: Global Edmonton | Examining child custody issues in Canada: Part One
The latest data from the Department of Justice shows mothers receive sole custody in 77 percent of cases, while fathers get it in only 9 percent of the time.
Read it on Global News: Global Edmonton | Examining child custody issues in Canada: Part One
Monday, March 19, 2012
Canadians for Family Law Reform protesting against family lawyers
Canadians for Family Law Reform, an organization that describes itself as a watchdog over family court matters, picketed outside the Sarnia courthouse late last month and has sparked controversy by protesting against local family lawyers.
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Limits on Questioning in Family Law Cases; Unrepresented Parties Take Note
Limits on Questioning in Family Law Cases; Unrepresented Parties Take Note
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has recently released a decision outlining limits on Orders under the Family Law Rules allowing the questioning of one party by the other. The decision is particularly noteworthy because it serves as a cautionary tale for those parties to a family law dispute who are self-represented.
Under the Family Law Rules, the court can make such an Order to allow a person (whether a party to the litigation or not) to be questioned by a party in certain circumstances, namely where:
1) it would be unfair to the party making the request to have to carry on with the case without it;
2) the information is not easily available by any other method;
3) the questioning will not cause an unacceptable delay or undue expense.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has recently released a decision outlining limits on Orders under the Family Law Rules allowing the questioning of one party by the other. The decision is particularly noteworthy because it serves as a cautionary tale for those parties to a family law dispute who are self-represented.
Under the Family Law Rules, the court can make such an Order to allow a person (whether a party to the litigation or not) to be questioned by a party in certain circumstances, namely where:
1) it would be unfair to the party making the request to have to carry on with the case without it;
2) the information is not easily available by any other method;
3) the questioning will not cause an unacceptable delay or undue expense.
Labels:
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Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Recording Your Own Court Hearing
A parent’s self help guide
A guide to recording your
own court hearing
To survive the gauntlet of the legal and law enforcement
system and to do your part to help make the system
more accountable, the first thing you need to
understand is what the criminal, family courts and the
child welfare protection system is all about!
In recent years there have been a growing number of complaints from those attending courts about
the lies, deceptions cover-ups and unlawful activities that are going on in family courts and inside
court buildings. It is well recognized by many Canadians, including high ranking Canadian
authorities and even some judges, that perjury in family court is rampant and that this crime often
goes unpunished in family court. Ontario Justice, Mary Lou Benotto, once stated this before a
public audience attending the Advocates Society conference..........(more)
A guide to recording your
own court hearing
To survive the gauntlet of the legal and law enforcement
system and to do your part to help make the system
more accountable, the first thing you need to
understand is what the criminal, family courts and the
child welfare protection system is all about!
In recent years there have been a growing number of complaints from those attending courts about
the lies, deceptions cover-ups and unlawful activities that are going on in family courts and inside
court buildings. It is well recognized by many Canadians, including high ranking Canadian
authorities and even some judges, that perjury in family court is rampant and that this crime often
goes unpunished in family court. Ontario Justice, Mary Lou Benotto, once stated this before a
public audience attending the Advocates Society conference..........(more)
Labels:
Chief Justice,
Family Court,
Family Law,
Justice,
Ontario,
Ontario Courts
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Remarks by Chief Justice Warren K. Winkle
County of Carleton Law Association
Civil Litigation CLE Program
Montebello, Quebec-November 19, 2010
Remarks by Chief Justice Warren K. Winkler
http://ccla-abcc.ca/uploadedFiles/Remarks%20by%20Chief%20Justice%20Warren%20K.%20Winkler%20-%202010%20CCLA%20Civil%20Litigation%20Conference.pdf
After reading these pages, I'm sure that everyone will agree the system is a mess and needs changing NOW.
Even the Chief Justice knows it needs to be changed and it is not working.
Here are a few excerpts from these pages,
" Access to justice is the single most important issue facing the legal profession in Canada. It
continually tests those responsible for the administration of justice across the country. Of
even more serious concern is the fact that the area of law where this problem is most
pronounced is family law.
Almost everyone you meet these days has a story about a family member, friend or
acquaintance that is going through a family dispute. Their story is predictably sad from a
personal standpoint, but within the present context – the adequacy of our legal system –
their experiences invariably tell of frustration and dissatisfaction."
"Adding to these problems is the increase in the number of self-represented litigants who
have run out of funds for legal services. The statistics support the seriousness of this
concern. Each year, almost 90,000 new family law proceedings are commenced
province-wide. Family disputes account for approximately one in five cases in Ontario's
courts and lead to more than 300,000 court appearances each year. It is estimated that
more than 50% of family law litigants come to court without legal representation."
"In September of this year at the Opening of Courts Ceremony in Toronto, I commented
on our family justice system. For those of you who did not attend the Toronto ceremony
or who have yet to track down my speech on the Court of Appeal website, there is no
cause to fret. I bring my message to you directly.
I began my remarks by saying that:
"I question the effectiveness of the 'slow-and-steady' approach of fine-tuning and
rationalizing the present system. Rather than incremental change, perhaps it is
time to consider a more dramatic and pragmatic revision of the manner in which
family law services is delivered across Ontario."
In expressing concerns about the state of our family justice system, my hope was to raise
the profile of this issue and begin a dialogue about what tangible steps we can take to
make real changes that result in real results for clients. As I have said, no topic relating 3
to the justice system has a more direct bearing on the lives of Ontarians than improving
our approach to resolving family breakdown."
"I conclude these remarks by stressing that the reform I propose is an access to justice
initiative. We must ensure that parties to a family law dispute have early access to
information, legal representation, and the benefit of full and timely disclosure. Combine
this with a streamlined process in which mediation is the centrepiece rather than a mere
stop on the road to the courtroom, and we will be well on track to redressing the access
issue. Our task must be to assist those facing family breakdown in reaching an affordable
resolution of their dispute and to alleviate, rather than worsen, their emotional stress."
These are only some of the remarks made by Chief Justice Warren K. Winkle. To see the full paper visit the link on this post.
Please sign and share this petition link http://www.thepetitionsite.com/6/stop-the-corrupt-family-law-court-of-ontario/
Labels:
Chief Justice,
Family Court,
Family Law,
Justice,
Ontario,
Ontario Courts
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