There is a growing dissatisfaction among the Family Bar with the Senior Judges.
Some of the complaints:
- Senior Judges from the civil bench who don't know a thing about family law have applied the wrong statutory standards and ignored controlling case law;
- The use of Senior Judges breaks up the importance of continuity (you know, the old "one family/one judge rule") in family law cases, including determining what is in the best interests of the child;
- Welcome Back! Once the Judge is back on the bench, here is a Motion to Reconsider;
- Boo! More legal fees for everyone involved because of the Motions to Reconsider; and
- Delays, delays, delays.
There are numerous judges in the Family Court who now refuse to use Senior Judges for the reasons listed above.
Have you had problems like these? Is this an issue for the civil and criminal bars too? Share your stories in the comments.
