The Law Society says security in courts needs to be properly addressed, as soon as possible.
Principal Family Court judge, Peter Boshier, says standards in New Zealand courts are woefully inadequate and he fears future cases of bloodshed.
He says only 11 of the country's 63 district courts have walk-through scanning technology: 4231 weapons or potential weapons were seized at court premises in the year to May.
Law Society family law section chair Paul Maskell says there are often flaws even where scanners are available.
He says the scanner at the Manukau court-house does not operate at all times of the day.
The Ministry of Justice says it works to provide the best security possible.
