The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate the compliance with settlement agreements in family cases involving minors at the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Juvenile and Family Court using the CIPP model to examine the context, input, process, and output based on the opinions of involved parties; 2) to study the motivation of involved parties towards complying with settlement agreements in family cases involving minors; and 3) to explore guidelines for developing and promoting effective settlement agreements for family cases according to experts' opinions. This evaluation research employed a mixed-method design, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. For the quantitative research, quota sampling was applied to select 80 participants who were involved parties complying with settlement agreements in family cases, divided into 19 in 2020, 23 in 2021, and 38 in 2022. In terms of the qualitative research, the data were obtained through focus group discussions with 18 experts, who were recruited by using purposive sampling. The research tools included 1) the evaluation questionnaire, 2) the motivation questionnaire, and 3) the focus group discussion form. Quantitative data were analyzed using statistical software. The descriptive statistics used were percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The content analysis technique was applied to analyze qualitative data.
The research results comprised the following: 1) The overall compliance with settlement agreements involving minors was at a high level. The aspect with the highest mean was output, followed by context, input, and process. 2) The overall motivation of the involved parties towards complying with settlement agreements involving minors was at a high level. 3) Based on the experts' opinions obtained from the focus group discussions, guidelines for developing and promoting effective settlement agreements for family cases are proposed as follows: 3.1) According to the evaluation of compliance with settlement agreements, in terms of context, "the Juvenile and Family Court should try to achieve an agreement or resolve a dispute among parties based on family happiness and unity" by (a) giving importance to the participation of psychologists; (b) developing and enhancing conciliators' abilities; (c) establishing a compliance monitoring system; and (d) focusing on the responsibilities of parents towards their children during conciliation. In the aspect of input, it was found that "providing a room or resting corner for minors separately is necessary" because it prevents minors from perceiving inappropriate facts and helps reduce parents' worries about their children during conciliation. As for the aspect of process, "legal officers should regularly monitor the involved parties' compliance with settlement agreements," not as individuals but in the form of a working group with systematic work procedures. In the aspect of output, "the factors influencing the compliance with settlement agreements" include (a) an agreement being settled based on actual needs; (b) mediators of both parties participating in the conciliation; (c) involved parties focusing on the benefit of minors; (d) love and attachment for their children; (e) economic variables; (f) understanding development; and (g) follow-up measures. 3.2) In terms of motivating involved parties to comply with settlement agreements, in the aspect of motivation, "involved parties should be motivated to comply with settlement agreements" through (a) developing positive energy; (b) jointly considering the pros and cons; and (c) accepting the results following each decision. In the aspect of responsibility, "it is vital to make involved parties aware of incompliance's negative impacts on minors and other related people" by (a) creating understanding; (b) building confidence; and (c) following up on compliance. As for the relationships between involved parties, "the Juvenile and Family Court is responsible for promoting involved parties' understanding of the role of parents in taking care of their children." The court should let psychologists participate in (a) the conciliation process; (b) the court trial process; and (c) the follow-up process after the trial ends. 3.3) "The Act on the Juvenile and Family Court and Its Procedure B.E. 2553 is appropriate for supporting the conciliation of family disputes, the settlement of agreements, and the compliance of settlement agreements," as this law is still modern and flexible and allows the court to exercise its discretion. The court should place emphasis on creating a healthy family where all members recognize their roles and responsibilities. Moreover, the court should use the law in an innovative way. Even after the trial is over, the court should continue to work with the family without using the word "monitor." Effective case management policies and practices should be determined to better protect the welfare of minors who are interested parties in family cases.