DIE ADVERSATIEWE STELSEL VAN BEWYSLEWERING EN DIE BESTE BELANG VAN DIE KIND IN EGSKEIDINGSAANGELEENTHEDE: ENKELE GEDAGTES OOR COLLABORATIVE LAW TER BESLEGTING VAN OUERLIKE GESKILLE (The Adversarial System and the Best Interests of the Child in Divorce Litigation: Some Thoughts Regarding Collaborative Law as a Means to Resolve Parental Disputes)

Abstract

English Abstract: In this contribution it is argued that the adversarial system of litigation does not serve the best interests of children upon divorce. After a brief analysis of the system it is concluded that other less aggressive means of litigation should be considered under upon divorce. Collaborative Law is suggested as a means to bear in mind. The fact that current practice of lawyer negotiations in respect of divorce is not too far removed from Collaborative Law may lead to practitioners readily accepting the concept.

Afrikaans Abstract: In hierdie bydrae word geargumenteer dat die adversatiewe stelsel van bewyslewering nie die beste belang van die kind in egskeidingsaangeleenthede dien nie. Na ‘n oorsigtelike uiteensetting van die stelsel word tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat ander minder agressiewe wyses van bewyslewering by egskeiding oorweeg behoort te word. In hierdie verband word Collaborative Law as ‘n moontlikheid aangedien. Die feit dat die huidige praktyk van onderhandelinge tussen regsgeleerdes nie te ver van die praktyk van Collaborative Law verwyderd is nie mag daartoe lei dat regspraktisyns dit geredelik sal aanvaar en toe pas.

Note: Downloadable document is in Afrikaans.

Keywords: best interest of the child, collaborative law, adversarial system, mediation