Experiencing domestic violence as a child can contribute to women taking their own lives. Nearly 20 per cent of women’s suicide were known to police because they were exposed to domestic violence as children, a new report by the NSW Domestic Violence…
Child custody: one mother’s bitter lesson in sharing the kids with dad
This was not one of those cases where the children had been abused and neglected, and therefore had to be removed from their mum’s care for their physical safety. She loved them very much and she made sure they were…
Families cannot be failed a second time
If there is ever a reason for a radical rethink in how we, as a society, manage dispute resolution, it’s the scenario currently playing out in the Federal Court system where we have a massive backlog of family law cases,…
Family Law: The Most Common Myths and Misconceptions Dispelled
It’s surprising how many myths surround family law. The complex nuances of family law get trapped under a myriad of myths and misconceptions. When a potential client meets with a family law specialist, it becomes the lawyer’s responsibility to disabuse…
Students on trial as they learn the rule of law
HUNDREDS of high school students gathered at the University of Southern Queensland last week to learn the rule of law. District Court Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SC was a guest speaker at the Living the Law conference, which brought together…
Couple Reneges On Vow To Divorce In Protest Of Same-Sex Marriage
An Australian couple who vowed two years ago to divorce if the country legalized same-sex marriage is now backtracking on their promise. In 2015, Nick Jensen wrote in an op-ed for the Canberra City News that he and his wife,…
Brandis finds $468m to keep families clear of court
Attorney-General George Brandis will today announce $468 million to fund family relationship centres and other family law services that are aimed at keeping warring couples out of the courts. The money comes as the government embarks on the first comprehensive…
Barry.Nilsson. principal to help oversee Family Law Act review
Barry.Nilsson. principal Geoffrey Sinclair has been appointed by Attorney-General George Brandis QC as a part-time commissioner to assist the Australian Law Reform Commission in a review of the Family Law Act. Sinclair, along with his fellow part-time commissioner, the Hon. John Faulks,…
61.6% of Australians Support Same-Sex Marriage, So Now It’s Parliament’s Turn
The results of the non-binding Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey are in, and 61.6% of respondents voted to recognize same-sex marriages. With a survey return rate of nearly 80%, and a majority “Yes” result from every state and territory, the…
What do the same-sex marriage laws actually say?
SURE, Australia just legalised same-sex marriage but there is more to the new changes than just gay weddings. MANY Australians are celebrating the passing of same-sex marriage laws but what exactly are we cheering? Heterosexual couples will be the first…