Family Court

The Family Court Pilot was established in 2004 with jurisdiction over specific family matters at the High Court and Magistrates’ Court levels. The approach to administering justice is less adversarial and more conciliatory. The court provides support to families while they pursue litigation.

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Units

The Roles and Functions of Units that
Provide Direct Service to the Family Court Customer

Court Office

We are the first point of contact for legal practitioners, or litigants without legal representation who wish to commence proceedings. We are an important source of information for the legal profession and members of the public seeking information about proceedings before the Court and the role and function of the Court.

We also play a pivotal role in the functioning of the Court. Our unit is the hub of all procedural and documentary activities of the Court. We process, record and direct the flow of all documents filed by parties to proceedings, and we record all events that take place during the life of a case. We also provide assistance in scheduling the Court’s sittings and finalize the documentation for cases after judgments have been rendered.

The Court Office also manages the case flow of the Judicial workload of the Court. In so doing we seek to -

  • Provide organizational support to the Court in the discharge of its judicial functions

  • Facilitate access to the Court and its services

  • Be responsive to the needs of all persons using Court Office services.

The units which have been given the responsibility of carrying out the above are -

Customer Service Representatives

Customer Service Representatives (CSR’s) are located at the entrance of each floor of the Family Court, and their roles are to ensure that customers feel welcomed and are provided with the information they need for easy navigation through the court system. The CSR receives and direct customers to various departments throughout the court and those who are making Magisterial applications. They also assist customers who require information on High Court matters on proper procedure, not on a legal level. Where persons are unrepresented, the Deputy Registrar and/or the Section Manager of the Court Office assists such persons in preparing their application.

Intake Officers

The Intake Officer has wide knowledge about the kinds of issues that families face and the services that will best assist you in resolving your family matters. The Intake Officer has special skills and training. This officer will meet with you when you are making a Magisterial application. This Officer will also assist you in determining which unit, person or agency will best suit your needs whether internal or external. Internally, you may be directed to the Mediation/Social Services Unit.

Pro Se Counter

The Case Management Officers assists customers in drafting their applications. Once an application is completed and copies printed, the Case Management Officer (C.M.O) is required to read to the customer all the information contained in the application, including the Hearing Room and Judicial Officer (Magistrate) to whom the matter is assigned, the Case Number, the date of hearing and the scheduled time of the Court appearance.

Clerk of the Peace

The Clerk of the Peace is the custodian of the Magisterial Files, and is required to endorse all official documents of the Magistrate Court.

Registrar and Section Manager

These individuals assist customers who qualify to self-file their own divorce petition. They also sign all High Court petitions, applications and documents.

Listing Unit

This unit is responsible for scheduling and/or rescheduling court hearings and assigning matters to specific Judicial Officers and hearing room assigning

Consequential Unit

The Consequential Activity Unit prepares remand warrants and fresh summons, notices etc, and generally deals with issues that happen as a consequence of court rulings.

Information Technology Unit

This unit provides the technical support for the computer software used by the Family Court staff, they also do repairs and update of the software

Marshal's Assistants

In-house Marshal Assistants assist in the efficient and timely service of all legal proceedings on behalf of the customer.

High Court Counter

This unit receives and checks the High Court documents that are filed by Attorneys at Law, Law Clerks and customers that are making High Court applications.

Data Entry Unit

The Data Entry Unit puts the information received for all applications made and filed at the court on the AS400 computer system.

Judgment and Orders Unit

This unit assists Attorneys-at-Law, Law Clerks and customers of the Court who wish to receive an office copy of the Court Order issued by Judicial Officers. Customers can receive their copies of Court Orders directly for the Court staff or they can receive their order/s through the postal agency.

Court Vault Unit

The Vault Unit is responsible for the management, documentation and security of all Court documents and files. They are also responsible for correctly labelling, filing and retrieving necessary documents.

Accounts Unit

This unit assists customers who have to receive and/or collect maintenance payments, and also customers who wish to purchase divorce application forms. Customers who are collecting maintenance payments must have a valid form of Identification (National Identification, Drivers Permit or Passport). Expired identification will not be accepted.