Government creates 11 new positions to expand family law services across province

Justice Minister and Attorney General Tom Marshall announced today government will create 11 new positions in the Family Justice Service Division of the Supreme and Provincial Courts to expand family law services across the province.

"The Family Justice Service Division provides children and families who are facing disputes over custody, access and property division with timely and effective mediation, counseling and education services in the hopes of promoting consensual dispute resolution," said Minister Marshall. "These 11 news positions will ensure more children and families in more regions of the province receive these important services."

Minister Marshall said the Williams government provided incremental funding in the amount of $587,100 in Budget 2006 to allow for the creation of these positions. The positions are as follows:

• One family justice service coordinator in Corner Brook
• Two family court counselor II � (one in Corner Brook and one in St. John's)
• Six family court counselor I � (one in Gander, one in Grand Falls-Windsor, two in Happy Valley Goose Bay and two in St. John�s)
• One recalculation supervisor in Corner Brook
• One recalculation clerk in Corner Brook

"Courts are adversarial in nature; however, when dealing with children and family situations government is committed to taking the necessary steps to ensuring family court services are child-centered and far more therapeutic in all regions of the province," said Minister Marshall. "The Williams Government will continue to make investments that will protect children and families throughout Newfoundland and Labrador."

Media contact: Bill Hickey, Communications, (709) 729-6985, 691-6390

2006 07 31                                     10:40 a.m.