Category: In The News
Presumption of Child’s Views in New BC Law
BC has just unveiled its much anticipated proposed Family Law Act that makes the best interests of the child the sole consideration in deciding matters affecting the child. The proposed law Bill 16 – 2011 would require the child’s views to be considered “unless it would be inappropriate to consider them” in determining their best interests. This … Continue reading Presumption of Child’s Views in New BC Law
Victoria Launch Roster Event a Success!
We are delighted that 15 people officially launched the BC Hear the Child Society’s Roster of Child Interviewers on May 10, 2012 at the offices of Brown Henderson Melbye in Victoria. The launch event participants included a BC Provincial Court Judge, and a Nanaimo participant. Six Victorians are on the Launch Roster list and now … Continue reading Victoria Launch Roster Event a Success!
Join Us at Our Child Interviewer Roster Launch Events
We are delighted to announce that the BC Hear the Child Society will launch its Roster of qualified Child Interviewers in May, 2012. One of the messages we heard loud and clear from recent feedback is the desire to get qualified child interviewer Roster launched quickly. So, we are beginning the Roster with a core group … Continue reading Join Us at Our Child Interviewer Roster Launch Events
Vancouver Course a Success!
More than 50 participants gathered to hear the latest on child participation at a continuing legal education program co-led by the Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia and the International Institute for Child Rights and Development (IICRD). BC Hear the Child Society president Ron Smith co-chaired the session with Suzanne Williams (IICRD) while several other members … Continue reading Vancouver Course a Success!
Family law: New act puts children first during divorces
SANDRA MCCULLOCH / TIMES COLONIST MARCH 29, 2013 When Victoria lawyer Mary Mouat was called to the bar in 1988, she thought the best place for divorcing couples was in a courtroom, duking it out before a judge. “I truly believed that was the best thing for families, and I was not alone — that’s … Continue reading Family law: New act puts children first during divorces
BC Court of Appeal Finds Trial Judge Failed to Give Appropriate Consideration to Child’s View
BC Court of Appeal finds trial judge failed to give appropriate consideration to child’s view. In Stav v Stav, 2012 BCCA 154, court relies on views of the child contained in Report prepared by Roster Member. See specific discussion at paragraphs 67 to 79 of the April 5, 2012 judgement. Read the full case at … Continue reading BC Court of Appeal Finds Trial Judge Failed to Give Appropriate Consideration to Child’s View
BC Hear the Child Society Submits Final Report to the Vancouver Foundation
The BC Hear the Child Society submits its final report to the Vancouver Foundation as funder of the Hear the Child Education Project. Read the Final Report.
Review parenting plans biannually to consider child’s views?
The following article appeared in the New York Times. OPINION In Whose Best Interests? By RUTH BETTELHEIM Published: May 19, 2012 IN divorced families, whose needs count for more: those of parents or those of children? Michael Dumontier and Neil Farber When parents divorce, their child custody plans are supposed to place the “best interests … Continue reading Review parenting plans biannually to consider child’s views?
Ontario Developing Guidelines on Listening to Children
Canadian Lawyer Magazine recently published an article about developing guidelines for judges in Ontario who meet with and interview children in family law. Sometimes young people want to speak directly to a judge in family law cases. With this in mind, in 2010 Suzanne Williams from IICRD and an advisor to the BC Hear the … Continue reading Ontario Developing Guidelines on Listening to Children
BC’s Family-Law Changes are Long Overdue
Read Trudi Brown’s article in the Victoria Times Colonist where she discusses the “three bombshells” of the proposed Family Law Act.