Victims of Family Violence (Strengthening Legal Protections) Legislation Act 2025
Version updated on 10 April 2025 to make an editorial change to section 2.
Victims of Family Violence (Strengthening Legal Protections) Legislation Act 2025
Public Act |
2025 No 2 |
|
Date of assent |
17 February 2025 |
|
Commencement |
see section 2 |
Contents
The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:
1 Title
This Act is the Victims of Family Violence (Strengthening Legal Protections) Legislation Act 2025.
2 Commencement
(1)
This Act comes into force on a date set by Order in Council.
(2)
Any part of the Act that has not come into force before 17 February 2026 comes into force then.
(3)
An Order in Council made under this section is secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).
| Legislation Act 2019 requirements for secondary legislation made under this section | ||||
| Publication | PCO must publish it on the legislation website and notify it in the Gazette | LA19 s 69(1)(c) | ||
| Presentation | The Minister must present it to the House of Representatives | LA19 s 114 | ||
| Disallowance | It may be disallowed by the House of Representatives | LA19 ss 115, 116 | ||
| This note is not part of the Act. | ||||
Section 2(2): editorial change made by the PCO, on 10 April 2025, under sections 86(1) and 87(m) and (q) of the Legislation Act 2019 (2019 No 58).
Part 1 Substantive amendments
Subpart 1—Amendments to Family Court Act 1980
3 Principal Act
This subpart amends the Family Court Act 1980.
4 New section 2A inserted (Transitional, savings, and related provisions)
After section 2, insert:
2A Transitional, savings, and related provisions
The transitional, savings, and related provisions set out in Schedule 1AA have effect according to their terms.
5 New section 12B inserted (Restriction on commencing or continuing proceedings under specified Acts in cases of litigant abuse)
After section 12A, insert:
12B Restriction on commencing or continuing proceedings under specified Acts in cases of litigant abuse
(1)
This section applies if a Judge—
(a)
is satisfied that, having regard to all of the circumstances, a party to a proceeding under a specified Act has exhibited conduct that is litigant abuse; and
(b)
has given the party a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
(2)
The Judge may at any time during the course of the proceeding, on the court’s initiative or on an interlocutory application for the purpose, order that the party may do any or all of the following only with the leave of a Judge:
(a)
take any further step in the proceeding (including in an interlocutory proceeding):
(b)
take any further step in a related proceeding (including in an interlocutory proceeding) under a specified Act if there is evidence that the party has exhibited conduct in that proceeding that is litigant abuse:
(c)
commence, or take any further step in, a new proceeding (or an interlocutory proceeding) under a specified Act that is—
(i)
of any kind, or of any specified kind; or
(ii)
in respect of any specified person; or
(iii)
in respect of any specified matter.
Guidance note
Section 4 of the Care of Children Act 2004 applies to a Judge’s decision to—
(a)
make an order under subsection (2) if the order would affect proceedings involving the guardianship of, or the role of providing day-to-day care for, or contact with, a child; or
(b)
grant leave in respect of an order made under subsection (2) if the leave would affect proceedings involving the guardianship of, or the role of providing day-to-day care for, or contact with, a child.
(3)
However, an order made under subsection (2) does not prevent the party from lodging an appeal or filing a judicial review in respect of a proceeding (including an interlocutory proceeding).
(4)
The Judge must have regard to the following in considering the circumstances referred to in subsection (1)(a):
(a)
the party’s conduct during the course of the proceeding; and
(b)
the party’s conduct in any other proceedings (including any interlocutory or related proceedings) that is litigant abuse; and
(c)
the party’s conduct outside of proceedings that is intended to annoy, harass, or harm, or that amounts to psychological abuse of, any other party to the proceeding or the related proceedings; and
(d)
any other matter that the Judge considers relevant.
(5)
An order made under subsection (2) continues in force for 3 years unless—
(a)
the order specifies a shorter period, in which case the order continues in force for that shorter period; or
(b)
in the Judge’s opinion, there are extraordinary circumstances that warrant a longer period (which may not exceed 5 years), in which case the order continues in force for that longer period.
(6)
An applicant for an order under subsection (2), or a party subject to an order under subsection (2), may appeal to the High Court against the whole or a part of the Judge’s decision to make, or refuse to make, an order under subsection (2).
(7)
Nothing in this section limits—
(a)
any provision in any other enactment that empowers the court to restrict the commencement or continuation of any proceeding; or
(b)
the inherent powers of the court.
(8)
In this section,—
litigant abuse means abuse of another party to the proceedings, and—
(a)
includes conduct that is intended to annoy, harass, or harm that other party, or that amounts to psychological abuse; and
(b)
may include a number of acts that form part of a pattern of behaviour (even if all or any of those acts, when viewed in isolation, appear to be minor or trivial)
psychological abuse has the same meaning as in section 11 of the Family Violence Act 2018
related proceedings means any proceedings under a specified Act that involve the same parties
specified Act means any of the following Acts:
(a)
the Status of Children Act 1969:
(b)
the Domestic Actions Act 1975:
(c)
the Property (Relationships) Act 1976:
(d)
the Family Proceedings Act 1980:
(e)
the Child Support Act 1991:
(f)
the Care of Children Act 2004:
(g)
the Family Violence Act 2018.
6 New Schedule 1AA inserted
Insert the Schedule 1AA set out in Schedule 1 of this Act as the first schedule to appear after the last section of the principal Act.
Subpart 2—Amendments to District Court Act 2016
7 Principal Act
This subpart amends the District Court Act 2016.
8 New section 216A and cross-heading inserted
After section 216, insert:
Restriction on continuing or commencing certain proceedings under specified Acts in cases of litigant abuse
216A Restriction on continuing or commencing certain proceedings under specified Acts in cases of litigant abuse
(1)
This section applies to the court when—
(a)
exercising concurrent jurisdiction with the Family Court; or
(b)
acting under section 15 of the Family Court Act 1980.
(2)
This section applies if a Judge—
(a)
is satisfied that, having regard to all of the circumstances, a party to a proceeding under a specified Act has exhibited conduct that is litigant abuse; and
(b)
has given the party a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
(3)
The Judge may at any time during the course of the proceeding, on the court’s initiative or on an interlocutory application for the purpose, order that the party may do any or all of the following only with the leave of a Judge:
(a)
take any further step in the proceeding (including in an interlocutory proceeding):
(b)
take any further step in a related proceeding (including in an interlocutory proceeding) under a specified Act if there is evidence that the party has exhibited conduct in that proceeding that is litigant abuse:
(c)
commence, or take any further step in, a new proceeding (or an interlocutory proceeding) under a specified Act that is—
(i)
of any kind, or of any specified kind; or
(ii)
in respect of any specified person; or
(iii)
in respect of any specified matter.
Guidance note
Section 4 of the Care of Children Act 2004 applies to a Judge’s decision to—
(a)
make an order under subsection (3) if the order would affect proceedings involving the guardianship of, or the role of providing day-to-day care for, or contact with, a child; or
(b)
grant leave in respect of an order made under subsection (3) if the leave would affect proceedings involving the guardianship of, or the role of providing day-to-day care for, or contact with, a child.
(4)
However, an order made under subsection (3) does not prevent the party from lodging an appeal or filing a judicial review in respect of a proceeding (or an interlocutory proceeding).
(5)
The Judge must have regard to the following in considering the circumstances referred to in subsection (2)(a):
(a)
the party’s conduct during the course of the proceeding; and
(b)
the party’s conduct in any other proceedings (including any interlocutory or related proceedings) that is litigant abuse; and
(c)
the party’s conduct outside of proceedings that is intended to annoy, harass, or harm, or that amounts to psychological abuse of, any other party to the proceeding or the related proceedings; and
(d)
any other matter that the Judge considers relevant.
(6)
An order made under subsection (3) continues in force for 3 years unless—
(a)
the order specifies a shorter period, in which case the order continues in force for that shorter period; or
(b)
in the Judge’s opinion, there are extraordinary circumstances that warrant a longer period (which may not exceed 5 years), in which case the order continues in force for that longer period.
(7)
An applicant for an order under subsection (3), or a party subject to an order under subsection (3), may appeal to the High Court against the whole or a part of the Judge’s decision to make, or refuse to make, an order under subsection (3).
(8)
Nothing in this section limits—
(a)
any provision in any other enactment that empowers the court to restrict the commencement or continuation of any proceeding; or
(b)
the inherent powers of the court.
(9)
In this section,—
litigant abuse means abuse of another party to the proceedings, and—
(a)
includes conduct that is intended to annoy, harass, or harm that other party, or that amounts to psychological abuse; and
(b)
may include a number of acts that form part of a pattern of behaviour (even if all or any of those acts, when viewed in isolation, appear to be minor or trivial)
psychological abuse has the same meaning as in section 11 of the Family Violence Act 2018
related proceedings means any proceedings under a specified Act that involve the same parties
specified Act means any of the following Acts:
(a)
the Status of Children Act 1969:
(b)
the Domestic Actions Act 1975:
(c)
the Property (Relationships) Act 1976:
(d)
the Family Proceedings Act 1980:
(e)
the Child Support Act 1991:
(f)
the Care of Children Act 2004:
(g)
the Family Violence Act 2018.
9 Schedule 1AA amended
In Schedule 1AA,—
(a)
insert the Part set out in Schedule 2 of this Act as the last Part; and
(b)
make all necessary consequential amendments.
Subpart 3—Amendments to Senior Courts Act 2016
10 Principal Act
This subpart amends the Senior Courts Act 2016.
11 New section 169A and cross-heading inserted
After section 169, insert:
Restriction on continuing or commencing certain proceedings under specified Acts in cases of litigant abuse
169A Restriction on commencing or continuing proceedings under specified Acts in cases of litigant abuse
(1)
This section applies if a Judge—
(a)
is satisfied that, having regard to all of the circumstances, a party to a proceeding has exhibited conduct that is litigant abuse; and
(b)
has given the party a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
(2)
The Judge may at any time during the course of the proceeding, on the court’s initiative or on an interlocutory application for the purpose, order that the party may do any or all of the following only with the leave of a Judge:
(a)
take any further step in the proceeding (including in an interlocutory proceeding):
(b)
take any further step in a related proceeding (including in an interlocutory proceeding) under a specified Act:
(c)
commence, or take any further step in, a new proceeding (or an interlocutory proceeding) under a specified Act that is—
(i)
of any kind, or of any specified kind; or
(ii)
in respect of any specified person; or
(iii)
in respect of any specified matter.
Guidance note
Section 4 of the Care of Children Act 2004 applies to a Judge’s decision to—
(a)
make an order under subsection (3) if the order would affect proceedings involving the guardianship of, or the role of providing day-to-day care for, or contact with, a child; or
(b)
grant leave in respect of an order made under subsection (3) if the leave would affect proceedings involving the guardianship of, or the role of providing day-to-day care for, or contact with, a child.
(3)
The Judge must have regard to the following in considering the circumstances referred to in subsection (1)(a):
(a)
the party’s conduct during the course of the proceeding; and
(b)
the party’s conduct in any other proceedings (including any interlocutory or related proceedings) that is litigant abuse; and
(c)
the party’s conduct outside of proceedings that is intended to annoy, harass, or harm, or that amounts to psychological abuse of, any other party to the proceeding or the related proceedings; and
(d)
any other matter that the Judge considers relevant.
(4)
An order made under subsection (2) continues in force for 3 years unless—
(a)
the order specifies a shorter period, in which case the order continues in force for that shorter period; or
(b)
in the Judge’s opinion there are extraordinary circumstances that warrant a longer period (which may not exceed 5 years), in which case the order continues in force for that longer period.
(5)
An applicant for an order under subsection (2), or a party subject to an order under subsection (2), may appeal against the whole or a part of the Judge’s decision to make, or refuse to make, an order under subsection (2) to—
(a)
the Court of Appeal; or
(b)
the Supreme Court (with the leave of the Supreme Court).
(6)
Nothing in this section limits—
(a)
any provision in any other enactment that empowers the court to restrict the commencement or continuation of any proceeding; or
(b)
the inherent powers of the court.
(7)
In this section,—
court means the High Court or the Court of Appeal
litigant abuse means abuse of another party to the proceedings, and—
(a)
includes conduct that is intended to annoy, harass, or harm that other party, or that amounts to psychological abuse; and
(b)
may include a number of acts that form part of a pattern of behaviour (even if all or any of those acts, when viewed in isolation, appear to be minor or trivial)
proceeding means—
(a)
a proceeding under a specified Act:
(b)
an appeal proceeding under a specified Act:
(c)
judicial review of a proceeding under a specified Act
psychological abuse has the same meaning as in section 11 of the Family Violence Act 2018
related proceedings means any proceedings under a specified Act that involve the same parties
specified Act means any of the following Acts:
(a)
the Status of Children Act 1969:
(b)
the Domestic Actions Act 1975:
(c)
the Property (Relationships) Act 1976:
(d)
the Family Proceedings Act 1980:
(e)
the Child Support Act 1991:
(f)
the Care of Children Act 2004:
(g)
the Family Violence Act 2018.
12 Schedule 5 amended
In Schedule 5,—
(a)
insert the Part set out in Schedule 3 of this Act as the last Part; and
(b)
make all necessary consequential amendments.
Part 2 Consequential amendments
Subpart 1—Amendment to Family Proceedings Act 1980
13 Principal Act
This subpart amends the Family Proceedings Act 1980.
14 Section 163 amended (Vexatious proceedings)
After section 163(2), insert:
(3)
Nothing in this section limits section 12B of the Family Court Act 1980 or section 216A of the District Court Act 2016.
Subpart 2—Amendment to Child Support Act 1991
15 Principal Act
This subpart amends the Child Support Act 1991.
16 Section 227 amended (Vexatious proceedings)
After section 227(2), insert:
(3)
Nothing in this section limits section 12B of the Family Court Act 1980 or section 216A of the District Court Act 2016.
Subpart 3—Amendment to Care of Children Act 2004
17 Principal Act
This subpart amends the Care of Children Act 2004.
18 Section 141 amended (Power to restrict commencement of proceedings if vexatious proceedings previously instituted)
Replace section 141(3) with:
(3)
Nothing in this section limits—
(a)
sections 166 to 169 of the Senior Courts Act 2016 (which empowers the High Court to make orders restricting the institution or continuation of vexatious proceedings); or
(b)
section 12B of the Family Court Act 1980 (which empowers the Family Court to make orders restricting the commencement or continuation of proceedings under specified Acts where there has been litigant abuse); or
(c)
section 216A of the District Court Act 2016 (which empowers the District Court to make orders restricting the commencement or continuation of proceedings under specified Acts where there has been litigant abuse); or
(d)
section 169A of the Senior Courts Act 2016 (which empower the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court to make orders restricting the commencement or continuation of proceedings under specified Acts where there has been litigant abuse).
Schedule 1 New Schedule 1AA inserted into Family Court Act 1980
Schedule 1AA Transitional, savings, and related provisions
s 2A
Part 1 Provision relating to Victims of Family Violence (Strengthening Legal Protections) Legislation Act 2025
1 Application of section 12B
(1)
This clause applies to section 12B (as inserted by the Victims of Family Violence (Strengthening Legal Protections) Legislation Act 2025).
(2)
That section applies, on and after its commencement (the commencement), to—
(a)
proceedings commenced on or after the commencement; and
(b)
proceedings commenced before the commencement and not finally determined (including any rehearing, retrial, or appeal) before the commencement.
(3)
However, in determining whether to make an order under section 12B(2), the Judge must only have regard to a party’s conduct that occurred after the commencement.
Schedule 2 New Part 2 of Schedule 1AA inserted into District Court Act 2016
Part 2 Provision relating to Victims of Family Violence (Strengthening Legal Protections) Legislation Act 2025
2 Application of section 216A
(1)
This clause applies to section 216A (as inserted by the Victims of Family Violence (Strengthening Legal Protections) Legislation Act 2025).
(2)
That section applies, on and after its commencement (the commencement), to—
(a)
proceedings commenced on or after the commencement; and
(b)
proceedings commenced before the commencement and not finally determined (including any rehearing, retrial, or appeal) before the commencement.
(3)
However, in determining whether to make an order under section 216A(3), the Judge must only have regard to a party’s conduct that occurred after the commencement.
Schedule 3 New Part 3 of Schedule 5 inserted into Senior Courts Act 2016
Part 3 Provision relating to Victims of Family Violence (Strengthening Legal Protections) Legislation Act 2025
13 Application of section 169A
(1)
This clause applies to section 169A (as inserted by the Victims of Family Violence (Strengthening Legal Protections) Legislation Act 2025).
(2)
That section applies, on and after its commencement (the commencement), to—
(a)
proceedings commenced on or after the commencement; and
(b)
proceedings commenced before the commencement and not finally determined (including any rehearing, retrial, or appeal) before the commencement.
(3)
However, in determining whether to make an order under section 169A(2), the Judge must only have regard to a party’s conduct that occurred after the commencement.
Legislative history
22 August 2023 |
Introduction (Bill 285–1) |
|
29 August 2023 |
First reading and referral to Justice Committee |
|
7 June 2024 |
Reported from Justice Committee (Bill 285–2) |
|
29 August 2024 |
Second reading |
|
17 October 2024 |
Committee of the whole House (Bill 285–3) |
|
13 February 2025 |
Third reading |
|
17 February 2025 |
Royal assent |
This Act is administered by the Ministry of Justice.