News and Events
6 May 2013
Genuine Steps Survey - participate in the review of the Civil Dispute Resolution Act 2011 on the Attorney General's website.
28 March 2013
Media Release
Appointments to the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia
The Hon. Mark Dreyfus QC MP
Attorney-General
15 March 2013
Media Release
Children and family violence: 6th World Congress on Family Law and Children’s Rights
6th World Congress on Family Law & Children’s Rights
1 March 2013
Media Release
Legislation to re-name the Federal Magistrates Court passed
The Hon. Mark Dreyfus QC MP
Attorney-General
12 December 2012
Fee Increase From 1 January 2013
Fees in proceedings in the Federal Circuit Court are set by the Federal Court and Federal Circuit Court Regulation (for general federal law fees) and the Family Law (Fees) Regulation 2012 (for family law fees).
12 December 2012
Notice of Risk - South Australian Pilot
This form is a pilot running in South Australia only.
From 4 February 2013 this form must be completed and filed and served with every application or response in a proceeding seeking parenting orders.
See also: Practice Direction No 2 of 2012
17 October 2012
2011 - 2012 Annual Report
The 2011-2012 Federal Magistrates Court of Australia Annual Report has been tabled in Parliament.
15 October 2012
Media Release
Launch Of The Courts’ Family Violence Best Practice Principles
2012 - The Year in Review: Chief Executive Officer's Report (October 2012)
The 2012 CEO's Report for the Family Court of Australia & Federal Magistrates Court of Australia has been released.
12 October 2012
Family Violence Best Practice Principles
The third version of the Family Violence Best Practice Principles has been released on the Family Law Court website.
13 September 2012
Media Release
Introducing the Federal Circuit Court of Australia
10 September 2012
Media Release
Federal Courts back on firm footing
8 June 2012
Changes to family law from 7 June 2012
On 7 June 2012 changes to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) will take effect. These changes will provide better protection in family law cases where there is family violence and abuse.
The Family Violence Act
The Family Law Legislation Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Act 2011 is part of the Government's agenda to improve the family law system's response to family violence and abuse.
The amendments:
- remove disincentives to disclose family violence to the courts
- update the definitions of family violence and child abuse to clearly set out what type of behaviour is unacceptable - such as physical and emotional abuse and the exposure of children to family violence, and
- ensure appropriate action is taken to prioritise the safety of children in family law disputes.
These changes will put the safety of children front and centre in family law matters, without compromising a child's right to a meaningful relationship with both parents where this is safe.
More information about the changes, including a fact sheet and frequently asked questions can be accessed on the Attorney-General's website.
UPDATED COURT FORMS AND PUBLICATIONS
The following family law forms have been updated as a result of the above amendments.
- Application for divorce kit
- Divorce service kit
- Initiating application kit and form
- Notice of Child Abuse, Family Violence, or Risk of Family Violence (Form 4)
- Application - Draft Consent Parenting Orders and allegations of abuse or family violence
8 June 2012
New Notice to Practitioners - Electronic Engrossment of Orders
The Chief Federal Magistrate has approved a new Notice to Practitioners regarding electronic engrossment of orders in family law matters in Victoria and Tasmania, including circuit locations. The Notice which is available here commences on 4 June 2012.
Click here for the Electronic Engrossment of Orders
22 May 2012
NEW: Application - Draft Consent Parenting Orders and allegations of abuse or family violence
The existing form has had a very minor change (just the addition of the relevant rule number)
click here for copy of the new appplication
22 May 2012
Update on issue relating to de facto property matters in the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court
Recent media reports have raised concerns over the validity of orders made by the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court relating to de facto property matters.
The uncertainty about the validity of the orders is due to an administrative error made when passing legislation in 2009 that gave power to the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court to deal with property and maintenance disputes between de facto couples.
It is important to note that:
- This issue is only relevant to orders relating to de facto property matters that were made between during March 2009 to February 2012. It does not relate to matters involving children.
- All orders made by the court are valid unless the court determines otherwise.
- The court understands that the Government is working on this issue and will pass legislation that will provide validity to all orders that have been made.
Link to Attorney-General's Department:
http://www.ag.gov.au/Families/Currentissuesinthefamilylawsystem/Pages/Status-of-various-family-court-orders.aspx
On 29 February 2012, the Attorney-General released a media alert advising that the Australian Government would introduce a Bill in March 2012 to provide certainty to people who have orders of the federal family law courts in de facto property and maintenance matters. A copy of that media release is available from the Attorney-General's website.
1 March 2012
New Federal Magistrates
Australia's First Indigenous Federal Magistrate Welcomed
The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP
Attorney-General
The Hon. Jenny Maclin MP
Minister for Families, Community and Indigenous Affairs
10 February 2012
Welcome Cenremony for Federal Magistrate Ronald Curtain
The Hon. Nicola Roxon MP
Attorney-General
9 February 2012
10 February 2012
Family Law User Satisfaction Survey
The Family Court and the Federal Magistrates Court have voluntarily adopted the International Framework for Court Excellence. In the search for ‘excellence’ in delivery of customer service it is important to consider the needs and perceptions of all court users. One of the key initiatives to better understand the needs and perceptions of court users has been the development of this user satisfaction survey.
The intention is that the research will provide robust measurement of users’ perceptions of their court visit and experience that can be re-evaluated on an ongoing basis to determine if satisfaction levels are changing and to identify any areas for improvement.
The findings of the research are presented in this report. This document has been prepared for both internal court use and externally by relevant stakeholders.
The user survey involved 13 family law registries where judicial officers are resident. It was undertaken by volunteers who interviewed a sample of 1322 court users. It has qualitative and quantitative elements.
The demographic of the interviewee, excluding lawyers and paralegals, considered age, gender, income, language, education and marital status. The demographic provided a clearer profile of the interviewee but had little impact on the research findings of the interviewee’s court experience.
For further information or to get paper copies of this document sent to you, call 1300 352 000, or visit a family law registry near you. PDF copy of report
Our assistance phone line is 1300 352 000
Our E-mail address for family law enquiries (including divorce) is enquiries@familylawcourts.gov.au
Our E-mail address for general federal law enquiries is customer.service@federalcircuitcourt.gov.au,
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Page Updated 28 March 2013