The New Zealand Family Court uses techniques of conciliation to resolve family conflict. The court is examined to illustrate how the use of informal conflict management techniques diminishes the negative emotions of family breakdown typically associated with the adversarial process. Two articles are provided which discuss the structure, problems, and possible solutions of the New Zealand Family Court. Such informal dispute settlement systems are advantageous in that they give families increased participation in the handling of conflict and the family courts can easily be integrated into adversarial systems. Typical problems include jurisdiction over particular disputes, sacrifice of individual rights, and increase in power of the state over the individual. The courts focus on placing the welfare of the child and the family over administrative concerns. 6 references. (Author abstract modified)