Nicholas Bala
Biographic Data
| ID | 4127044 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Nicholas Bala |
| GIVEN NAMES | Nicholas |
| FAMILY NAME | Bala |
| SIGNATURE | BALA N |
| AFFILIATIONS | Queen's University |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-7636-4984 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 34 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 28 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 34 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1987 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Appropriate parenting arrangements in cases of intimate partner violence and coercive control
Family violence and coercive control are increasingly being recognized in legislation and practice as critical factors to consider in determining children's best interests in making appropriate post‐separation parenting arrangements. Professional practices have also become more trauma and violence‐informed and better able to recognize and respond to the impact of violence on survivors and their children. Assessing the validity and context of fami…
“Parental alienation” cases
This paper reports on two related studies on the experiences of Ontario therapists, parenting evaluators, child protection service (CPS) staff, and lawyers for parents, children and CPS about parent–child contact problem cases involving claims of parental alienation. One qualitative study was based on interviews with 62 professionals (45 parents' lawyers and 17 therapists) involved in reported Ontario cases between 2010 and 2022 where the court m…
A quasi-experimental study to assess the effectiveness of an educational package on knowledge and attitude regarding sibling rivalry and its prevention among mothers of under 5 children in selected ar…
Sibling rivalry denotes the animosity or tension that may arise between brothers and sisters. This phenomenon can manifest in various forms, ranging from typical familial conflicts—such as when children tug at one another's hair or refuse to share a cherished toy, testing the patience of parents everywhere—to more profound and enduring conflicts that may persist into adulthood. In essence, sibling rivalry is a commonplace behavioral response char…
Exploring litigation abuse in Ontario
Litigation abuse is a pattern of conduct that misuses the Family Court process in a way that could reasonably be expected to cause emotional or financial harm to the other party or their children which is greater than would occur with the proper use of the family justice process. Litigation abuse may be motivated by a perpetrator's desire to gain an unfair advantage in the litigation or to control a former partner, or may be the result of anger, …
Ontario family justice in “lockdown”
The COVID‐19 pandemic has profoundly affected families and children involved in Ontario's family justice system as well as family justice professionals in the province. In a span of two years, Ontario's family justice system has been fundamentally transformed, from a paper‐based, in‐person system to a paperless system in which many services, including judicial proceedings, continue to be largely delivered remotely. We report on the findings of tw…
Experience with Ontario’s Parenting Plan Guide and Template
Detailed, voluntary parenting plans are being increasing used in many jurisdictions. In conjunction with legislative reforms that came into effect in Canada in 2021 and specifically provide for parenting plans in place of traditional custody and access orders, the Ontario Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC-O) tasked a multidisciplinary group to prepare materials to assist professionals and parents in making parenti…
Family Court Responses to Claims of Parental Alienation in Quebec
An increasing number of cases of parental separation involve high conflict and claims that a parent is alienating a child. This study analyzes reported family law cases involving claims of parental alienation in Quebec between 2017 and 2020 (n = 164). Bivariate analyzes were undertaken to establish correlations between family characteristics (child's age, safety issues concerning the children and parents, severity of the parental conflict, child'…
The AFCC‐Ontario Parenting Plan Guide and Template
This article discusses the development of the concept of parenting plans and the different approaches to providing materials that can help parents and professionals to make individualized, future‐oriented plans for children post‐separation. More than a quarter century after American states began to enact laws to encourage the use of parenting plans, Canada amended its legislation to abandon the proprietary concepts of “custody” and “access,” and …
Views and Experiences of Parents in the Family Justice Process in Ontario and Quebec
As part of a larger prospective longitudinal research project to track parents as they navigate the family court system in Canada’s two largest provinces, this paper reports on the mixed methodology results at Time 1 as parents came into contact with the family courts. Data was collected by using in-person surveys at seven family court sites in Ontario and five family court sites in Quebec. A total of n = 1,539 litigants in Ontario (n = 865) and …
Family dispute resolution
Concepts, Controversies And Conundrums Of “Alienation
There have been significant advances in understandings and practice related parent–child contact problems (PCCPs), with a growing consensus about some issues and continuing controversy about others. It is widely acknowledged that PCCP cases are most fruitfully understood from a multi‐factorial perspective. While some cases may be totally the “fault” of one parent (a parent perpetrating violence or abuse, or a parent exhibiting alienating behavior…
Dimensions of conflict for separated families index
Shared Parenting in Canada
There is a complex interplay between federal and provincial parenting statutes in Canada. Although most statutes continue to use the traditional concepts of “custody” and “access,” in practice most lawyers and judges use more child‐focused terminology for parenting plans. There is a lack of reliable data on postseparation parenting in Canada, though a number of studies and data sources clearly indicate that there is growing use of various forms o…
Views of the Child Reports
There is increasing use of Views of the Child Reports as a means of involving children in the resolution of parenting disputes in Canada, but there are significant differences in how these Reports are prepared. This article reports on a study of an Ontario pilot project which provided non-evaluative reports for parenting disputes prepared by social workers based on two interviews with each child about the child’s perspectives and preferences; chi…
Empirical Studies of Alienation
The Canadian Experience with Views of the Child Reports
Non-evaluative Views of the Child Reports prepared by legal or mental health professionals are an increasingly popular means of involving children in the resolution of parenting disputes in parts of Canada, but there are no widely accepted standards and significant differences exist in how children are interviewed and how these reports are prepared. This article examines the methods by which children’s views are obtained for use in court and non-…
Canada’s First Integrated Domestic Violence Court
Child Representation in Alberta
There has been an increase in the number of family law cases in Alberta where counsel is appointed to represent a child, but there is a lack of guidance and there is controversy about the role and responsibilities of counsel for the child. In other jurisdictions government agencies, the courts, the legislature or the law society have provided clear direction, though taking different approaches to resolving the controversies about counselfor the c…
Jane B. Sprott and Anthony N. Doob, Justice for Girls? Stability and Change in the Youth Justice Systems of the United States and Canada
Children's Experiences with Family Justice Professionals in Ontario and Ohio
There is increasing recognition in law and social science research of the importance of having children participate in post-separation decision making, though there is not a clear consensus on how this should be done. This article reviews the social science literature about children’s participation in the family justice process and presents results of a study in Ohio and Ontario with 32 children between 7–17 years of age, who either met with a ju…
Parental Alienation
Family Court Review is the leading interdisciplinary academic and research journal for family law professionals. The journal provides comprehensive coverage of family court practice, theory, research, and legal opinion
Judicial Interviews with Children in Custody and Access Cases
Social science research and the Convention on the Rights of the Child support children's participation in family law disputes, though there is not a clear consensus on how this should be done. Judicial interviews of children in custody and access cases are one method of involving children, and ascertaining their views and preferences, though the practice raises some complex and controversial issues. The extent to which judges meet with children, …
The Competency of Children to Testify
The competency inquiry has traditionally been a critical initial challenge for child witnesses, most of who are called to testify about their own victimization or as witnesses of family violence. In most common law countries children can only testify if they can correctly answer questions about such abstract concepts as the “oath,” the “promise” and “truth.” These inquiries can be confusing to children, and may prevent children who are capable of…
Custody Disputes Involving Allegations of Domestic Violence
Premised on the understanding that domestic violence is a broad concept that encompasses a wide range of behaviors from isolated events to a pattern of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse that controls the victim, this article addresses the need for a differentiated approach to developing parenting plans after separation when domestic violence is alleged. A method of assessing risk by screening for the potency , pattern , and primary perpetrato…
An historical perspective on family violence and child abuse
This comment discusses the historical development of social attitudes, social science research, and approaches in the justice system towards allegations of spousal and child abuse. Until relatively recently, victims of child abuse and spousal violence were largely ignored by the justice system, mental health professionals and social science researchers, and these victims rarely disclosed. In the late twentieth century, heavily influenced by femin…
Context and Inclusivity in Canada's Evolving Definition of the Family
Journal Article Context and Inclusivity in Canada's Evolving Definition of the Family Get access Nicholas Bala, Nicholas Bala Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, Volume 16, Issue 2, August 2002, Pages 145–180, https://doi.org/10.1093/law…
Children's Experiences with Family Justice Professionals in Ontario and Ohio
There is increasing recognition in law and social science research of the importance of having children participate in post-separation decision making, though there is not a clear consensus on how this should be done. This article reviews the social science literature about children’s participation in the family justice process and presents results of a study in Ohio and Ontario with 32 children between 7–17 years of age, who either met with a ju…
Judicial Interviews with Children in Custody and Access Cases
Social science research and the Convention on the Rights of the Child support children's participation in family law disputes, though there is not a clear consensus on how this should be done. Judicial interviews of children in custody and access cases are one method of involving children, and ascertaining their views and preferences, though the practice raises some complex and controversial issues. The extent to which judges meet with children, …
The Competency of Children to Testify
The competency inquiry has traditionally been a critical initial challenge for child witnesses, most of who are called to testify about their own victimization or as witnesses of family violence. In most common law countries children can only testify if they can correctly answer questions about such abstract concepts as the “oath,” the “promise” and “truth.” These inquiries can be confusing to children, and may prevent children who are capable of…
The Evolving Canadian Definition of the Family
Journal Article THE EVOLVING CANADIAN DEFINITION OF THE FAMILY: TOWARDS A PLURALISTIC AND FUNCTIONAL APPROACH Get access NICHOLAS BALA NICHOLAS BALA *Queen's UniversityKingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, Volume 8, Issue 3, December 1994, Pages 293–318, https://doi.org/10.1093/lawfam/8.3.293 Published: 01 December 1994
Canada’s First Integrated Domestic Violence Court
Family Court Responses to Claims of Parental Alienation in Quebec
An increasing number of cases of parental separation involve high conflict and claims that a parent is alienating a child. This study analyzes reported family law cases involving claims of parental alienation in Quebec between 2017 and 2020 (n = 164). Bivariate analyzes were undertaken to establish correlations between family characteristics (child's age, safety issues concerning the children and parents, severity of the parental conflict, child'…
Family dispute resolution
Dimensions of conflict for separated families index
Child witnesses in the Canadian criminal courts
Canadian Child Welfare Law
Family Law in Canada and the United States
This paper compares family law developments in Canada and the United States, with the primary focus upon the last two decades. This has been a period of similar and immense social change in these two countries, with new attitudes and patterns of family living emerging. There have also been revolutionary and broadly similar legal developments, with the introduction of no-fault divorce, support and custody laws which take limited or no account of f…
Canadian Child Welfare Law
The Evolving Canadian Definition of the Family
Journal Article THE EVOLVING CANADIAN DEFINITION OF THE FAMILY: TOWARDS A PLURALISTIC AND FUNCTIONAL APPROACH Get access NICHOLAS BALA NICHOLAS BALA *Queen's UniversityKingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6 Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, Volume 8, Issue 3, December 1994, Pages 293–318, https://doi.org/10.1093/lawfam/8.3.293 Published: 01 December 1994
A Canadian Perspective on Adolescent Sexuality and Public Policy
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
Child witnesses in the Canadian criminal courts
Child witnesses in the Canadian criminal courts
A Differentiated Legal Approach to the Effects of Spousal Abuse on Children
In the past decade judges have started to recognize the destructive effects of spousal violence on children, but too many judges and justice system professionals still fail to take adequate account of spousal abuse when dealing with child related issues. Courts need to take a “differentiated” approach to spousal abuse, one that recognizes its different forms, nature and effects on adults and children, with a continuum of responses ranging from or…
Context and Inclusivity in Canada's Evolving Definition of the Family
Journal Article Context and Inclusivity in Canada's Evolving Definition of the Family Get access Nicholas Bala, Nicholas Bala Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, Volume 16, Issue 2, August 2002, Pages 145–180, https://doi.org/10.1093/law…
Controversy Over Couples in Canada
Custody Disputes Involving Allegations of Domestic Violence
Premised on the understanding that domestic violence is a broad concept that encompasses a wide range of behaviors from isolated events to a pattern of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse that controls the victim, this article addresses the need for a differentiated approach to developing parenting plans after separation when domestic violence is alleged. A method of assessing risk by screening for the potency , pattern , and primary perpetrato…
An historical perspective on family violence and child abuse
This comment discusses the historical development of social attitudes, social science research, and approaches in the justice system towards allegations of spousal and child abuse. Until relatively recently, victims of child abuse and spousal violence were largely ignored by the justice system, mental health professionals and social science researchers, and these victims rarely disclosed. In the late twentieth century, heavily influenced by femin…
Parental Alienation
Family Court Review is the leading interdisciplinary academic and research journal for family law professionals. The journal provides comprehensive coverage of family court practice, theory, research, and legal opinion
Judicial Interviews with Children in Custody and Access Cases
Social science research and the Convention on the Rights of the Child support children's participation in family law disputes, though there is not a clear consensus on how this should be done. Judicial interviews of children in custody and access cases are one method of involving children, and ascertaining their views and preferences, though the practice raises some complex and controversial issues. The extent to which judges meet with children, …
The Competency of Children to Testify
The competency inquiry has traditionally been a critical initial challenge for child witnesses, most of who are called to testify about their own victimization or as witnesses of family violence. In most common law countries children can only testify if they can correctly answer questions about such abstract concepts as the “oath,” the “promise” and “truth.” These inquiries can be confusing to children, and may prevent children who are capable of…
Jane B. Sprott and Anthony N. Doob, Justice for Girls? Stability and Change in the Youth Justice Systems of the United States and Canada
Children's Experiences with Family Justice Professionals in Ontario and Ohio
There is increasing recognition in law and social science research of the importance of having children participate in post-separation decision making, though there is not a clear consensus on how this should be done. This article reviews the social science literature about children’s participation in the family justice process and presents results of a study in Ohio and Ontario with 32 children between 7–17 years of age, who either met with a ju…
Child Representation in Alberta
There has been an increase in the number of family law cases in Alberta where counsel is appointed to represent a child, but there is a lack of guidance and there is controversy about the role and responsibilities of counsel for the child. In other jurisdictions government agencies, the courts, the legislature or the law society have provided clear direction, though taking different approaches to resolving the controversies about counselfor the c…
Empirical Studies of Alienation
The Canadian Experience with Views of the Child Reports
Non-evaluative Views of the Child Reports prepared by legal or mental health professionals are an increasingly popular means of involving children in the resolution of parenting disputes in parts of Canada, but there are no widely accepted standards and significant differences exist in how children are interviewed and how these reports are prepared. This article examines the methods by which children’s views are obtained for use in court and non-…
Canada’s First Integrated Domestic Violence Court
Shared Parenting in Canada
There is a complex interplay between federal and provincial parenting statutes in Canada. Although most statutes continue to use the traditional concepts of “custody” and “access,” in practice most lawyers and judges use more child‐focused terminology for parenting plans. There is a lack of reliable data on postseparation parenting in Canada, though a number of studies and data sources clearly indicate that there is growing use of various forms o…
Views of the Child Reports
There is increasing use of Views of the Child Reports as a means of involving children in the resolution of parenting disputes in Canada, but there are significant differences in how these Reports are prepared. This article reports on a study of an Ontario pilot project which provided non-evaluative reports for parenting disputes prepared by social workers based on two interviews with each child about the child’s perspectives and preferences; chi…
Dimensions of conflict for separated families index
Concepts, Controversies And Conundrums Of “Alienation
There have been significant advances in understandings and practice related parent–child contact problems (PCCPs), with a growing consensus about some issues and continuing controversy about others. It is widely acknowledged that PCCP cases are most fruitfully understood from a multi‐factorial perspective. While some cases may be totally the “fault” of one parent (a parent perpetrating violence or abuse, or a parent exhibiting alienating behavior…
The AFCC‐Ontario Parenting Plan Guide and Template
This article discusses the development of the concept of parenting plans and the different approaches to providing materials that can help parents and professionals to make individualized, future‐oriented plans for children post‐separation. More than a quarter century after American states began to enact laws to encourage the use of parenting plans, Canada amended its legislation to abandon the proprietary concepts of “custody” and “access,” and …
Political science (30 works) · Psychology (25 works) · Law (23 works) · Law (18 works) · Criminology (17 works) · Sociology (13 works) · Multicultural Socio-Legal Studies (12 works) · Child Abuse and Trauma (11 works) · Medicine (11 works) · Economic Justice (10 works)