Courts are increasingly understanding the impacts that custodial sentences of parents and caregivers have on the children in their care. This webinar – produced in conjunction with the Chief High Court Judge – aims to increase practitioners’ awareness of the impacts on children of the incarceration of their caregivers whether at bail or sentencing.

Topics covered will include:

An introduction from the Chief High Court Judge, Justice Susan Thomas;
What assistance counsel can provide judges on this issue;
Concerns defendants/offenders may have around disclosing whānau information. (From the website).

Background: On 23 November 2022, Dame Karen Poutasi’s report on the ‘Joint Review into the Children’s Sector: Identification and response to suspect abuse’ was released. The Joint Review was commissioned by the Chief Executives of six government departments that had contact with Malachi Subecz and his family. Malachi was five years old when he was murdered by the person his mother trusted to care for him while she was incarcerated.

This review has prompted the New Zealand Law Society to prepare the following information which brings together key points from the revised Corrections’ policies and the work of the judiciary, to assist counsel working with primary caregivers potentially facing restrictive sentences. The webinar is a referenced as a relevant resource for lawyers. Record #8689