Family could be Kim Dotcom's strongest defence in his fight to stay in the country

The Megaupload founder has had an extradition order from the Justice Minister, meaning he may find himself on trial in the US for a range of indictments - many relating to intellectual property theft.

Former Auckland University Professor of Law Bill Hodge says it's hard to predict how a judicial review of the minister's decision will go, if Dotcom chooses this route.

He says if it were him, he'd be arguing against having his large family at the mercy of the department of social welfare, to be a burden on New Zealanders.