The importance of family relations, the alteration of the child’s habitual residence, the arrangements for visiting rights and child support obligations where the main topics at the National Conference on Child-Centered Justice, organized by the National Office for the Judiciary (NOJ) with the participation of one-hundred judges working in the field of family law and criminal law.

Dr. János Cserni, head of the NOJ Department for Administrative Organization, deemed the conference to be highly important, as both legal knowledge and other proficiencies are essential in this field.

Dr. Erzsébet Kontra dr. Kristófné, head of the Pest Central District Court’s family law department, and president of the NOJ Professional and Coordinator Network of Child-Centered Justice gave her report about the performance of the network in 2018, praising its results in education and raising awareness.

Dr. Andrea Karsai Szilágyiné, vice president of the Debrecen Regional Court of Appeal, informed the participants about the Sustainable Values Programme (SVP), including the strategic goals of the “Family Law in Focus” plan.

Dr. Szilvia Gyurkó, family law expert, spoke about the importance of family relationships. In her experience, parents are more focused on ending their emotional relationship in a legal way, rather than on an emotional level. She drew attention to the role of judges in family law matters, highlighting the crucial situation of traumatized children.

Dr. Gyula Kapusi, psychologist, expressed the importance of family therapy. A family can only work properly if the family members show each other respect and appreciation for their values, and the point of family therapy is seeking the best interests of the children involved.
Dr. Ibolya Hirtling joined Dr. Erzsébet Kontra dr. Kristófné in her presentation and told about the endangerment of the mental and intellectual development of children, including the potential forms of abuse with the eyes of a criminal judge.

Dr. Adrienn Várai-Jeges, judge of the Budapest-Capital Regional Court, gave her presentation about the importance of the determination of the child’s habitual residence, presenting it through various international cases. Dr. Lívia Ágnes Cseh, judge of the Szeged District Court, explained the importance of consent in these cases.

Dr. Judit Szabó Kissné, president of the Szolnok Regional Court, and dr. Ibolya Hirtling gave their presentation about child support obligations, and about the failure to fulfill these obligations, including both the substantive and procedural rules surrounding these issues.

Dr. Tünde Gaál dr. Fehérné, head of division of the Budapest Environs Regional Court, and dr. Lívia Cseh closed the conference with a speech about visiting rights and the attempts to impede these rights. They stressed the importance to avoid criminal proceedings if possible, as it is against the best interests of the child.