South Australian legal assistance services will receive over $2 million per annum in additional core funding from July this year through a new partnership between the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments. Attorney-General, Vickie Chapman said South Australia had signed…
NEW DEAL: New money for legal assistance
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New ‘amica’ online service to assist couples to separate amicably
A ground-breaking new digital service will empower separating couples to resolve their family law disputes online. Suitable for couples whose relationship is relatively amicable, the new ‘amica’ tool enables users to negotiate and communicate online with their former partner at…
Appointment of Senior Registrars to Family Court and Federal Circuit Court
The Family Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court (the Courts) today announce the appointment of three Senior Registrars as part of an ongoing and extensive recruitment process. Ms Anne-Marie Rice has been appointed as a Senior Registrar, based in…
Domestic violence bill inspired by Hannah Clarke’s murder introduced to Parliament
A family law bill inspired by the murder of Brisbane woman Hannah Clarke and her three children will protect children, not chip away at the rights of fathers, domestic violence advocates say. Key points: The bill wants the presumption of…
New domestic violence inquiry to probe national failures in keeping victims safe
A new parliamentary inquiry into domestic violence will give survivors a fresh opportunity to “have their voices heard” on Australia’s scourge of abuse, with advocates cautiously optimistic it will achieve more than previous probes. It comes less than a fortnight…
Tasmanian Children’s Commissioner appears at federal parliamentary inquiry on Australia’s family law system
Children should be given the opportunity to speak directly to the court on family law matters, Tasmania’s Children’s Commissioner says. Commissioner Leanne McLean on Wednesday appeared before a federal joint select committee looking into Australia’s family law system. She told…
COVID-19 pushes Australian courts to adopt online dispute resolution
The Federal Court of Australia, the Family Court of Australia, and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia have all responded to the restrictions brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic by adopting online dispute resolution solutions. Melbourne-based Immediation will be providing the…
‘Threatening to infect the children’: Family courts to fast-track urgent, virus-related applications
Families battling with parenting disputes and escalating violence relating to the COVID-19 crisis will have their matters prioritised by some of the nation’s top judges. Cathy Gale has been practicing family law for years, but never before has she seen…
Coronavirus concerns see family courts rush through applications linked to COVID-19
Urgent cases relating to children caught up in parenting disputes will be rushed through the courts within 72 hours, as the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court report a rise in calls for help during the coronavirus crisis. There has…
Digital Domestic Abuse: The need for International Laws and Protections
A domestic protection order is made by the courts in one country with the intention of having effect in that country. Unless exceptional, it has no cross-border reach. If there is a breach of the order and the perpetrator leaves…