It's a common complaint - the language used is court is super-confusing for the average person, and muddies what's already a tricky system to navigate.

But, a New Zealand magistrate has broken the mould - delivering his verdict in a cross-continental custody dispute, as a letter to its 14-year-old subject.

In it, he speaks directly to the boy - known as Claude - mentioning the teenager's love of rugby and acknowledging the mental toll of being involved in a family dispute.

It's a rare and touching move, in an environment that's known to be sterile and where emotions and feelings aren't always considered.So, should plain-speaking and appealing to emotions become more common?