Please note that these Cabinet papers were from the Labour/Progressive Government 2005-2008. The subsequent National-led Government formed in 2008 has taken up some, but not all, of the proposals in them with the Domestic Violence Amendment Act 2009, and Child and Family Protection Bill 2009 (still before the House as at 21/9/10).

This report is the third of four Cabinet papers that report on submissions received in response to the release of the discussion paper, A review of the Domestic Violence Act 1995 and related legislation: A discussion document (Ministry of Justice, 2007). While acknowledging that the Domestic Violence Act (1995) is, in its first principles, sound law, the Ministry of Justice, in consultation with other government agencies, key stakeholders and members of the public, proposes a number of amendments. This paper provides an outline of four proposals that aim to improve the response of the Family Court and the criminal courts to domestic violence. These proposals relate to: the 'without notice' orders application process; protection order discharge; the link between the Family Court and the criminal courts regarding domestic violence related bail and sentencing; and programmes for respondents, protected persons and children.

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