In domestic disputes, on custody, property, support and accusations of domestic violence, all are losers – even those who eventually win a protracted litigation. The PinBall Machine makes this – in harrowing detail – all too clear. A truly depressing tale with valuable suggestions for reform.

Krister Thelin,
Chief Justice of Appeal (ret)
Former Member UN Human Rights Committee

“Written by Trevor Cooper, The Pinball Machine is an excellent book that everyone should read. Based on a true story, this book provides a sober account of how the legal system of two different jurisdictions, the Netherlands and Australia, can harm children and innocent parents. The book exposes the corruption of a legal system where a perfectly innocent parent was cruelly and permanently alienated from the life of his daughter.  Unfortunately, one seldom hears about the plight of these parents who have been denied all contact with their children. All of this can be done as the result of false accusations. And yet, even when the family court clears the parent of any wrongdoing, more often than not, the courts still keep custody with the parent who made such false accusations. Trying to maliciously separate a father from his daughter is a serious form of child abuse. The perpetrator should be severely punished, and not rewarded as it apparently happened. Once it is possible to testify, beyond all reasonable doubt, that an unfair alienation is taking place, the alienating parent should face the full force of the law and custody should be automatically given to the alienated parent. I strongly recommend this book. I ask you to consider to support a much-needed reform that can only come through the kind of sober analysis this book soberly provides”.

Dr Augusto Zimmermann LLB, LLM, PhD
Professor and Head of Law at Sheridan College in Perth, Western Australia
Professor of Law (Adjunct) at the University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney campus.
President of the Western Australian Legal Theory Association (WALTA)
Former Commissioner with the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia (2012-2017).

Amazing book! Couldn’t put it down. Incredible what people go through to have a loving relations with their child. What people do to prevent that relationship. Should be a must read for every lawyer, judge, social worker, Psychiatrist or Psychologist.

Ken Saunders