Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Concerns increasing delays in court hearings could be putting people at risk. Newstalk ZB can reveal the number of family court applications older than two years,  has doubled from October 2022 compared to 2017. Victims Advocate Ruth Money told Kate Hawkesby it means children's safety and domestic violence protection orders are on hold. She says it's a 'warzone' trying to get a family court lawyer, let alone a time in court. The Justice Ministry says these are pandemic delays, and they're trying to work through the backlog. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.