3 Feb
2026
A Note of Caution: Using AI to Draft Legal Documents
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly being used across professional services, including the legal profession. From drafting submissions to summarising case law and preparing chronologies, AI can offer efficiency and convenience. However, recent court decisions and practice directions make it clear that the use of AI in legal drafting carries serious risks if not handled carefully. Lawyers remain fully responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality of all material filed in court regardless of whether AI was used in its...
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17 Aug
2025
Break Up Without the Breakdown: Your Ultimate Guide to Consent Orders in QLD
Going through a separation is never easy - but navigating it doesn’t have to be confusing. If you and your former partner have reached an agreement on parenting or financial matters, there’s a stress-free, cost-effective way to make that agreement legally binding. Enter: Consent Orders in QLD. At James Noble Law, we specialise in helping Queensland families move forward with confidence and clarity. With over 50 years of experience in Family Law, our team is here to simplify the process,...
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27 May
2025
Court Forms Without the Chaos: James Noble Law Takes the Complexity Out of Family Law
When Paperwork Feels Like a Legal Minefield? If you're in the middle of a family dispute, separation, or child custody matter, chances are you're already feeling emotionally drained. Then come the court forms filled with unfamiliar language, legal traps, and intimidating deadlines to overwhelm even the most organised person. But you don’t have to face it alone. Having a trusted family lawyer by your side isn’t just about legal advice it’s about peace of mind. At James Noble Law, we...
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5 Feb
2025
The Positive Impact of James Noble Law’s Family Law Practice on Cairns, Queensland
Cairns, Queensland, is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, vibrant community, and thriving economy. With the recent establishment and operation of James Noble Law's Family Law Practice in Cairns, this picturesque region stands to gain even more from the expertise and dedication that this legal practice brings. In this article, we'll explore the various benefits that this expansion offers to the Cairns area and its surrounds. [caption id="attachment_18632" align="alignright" width="350"] James noble[/caption] Expertise and Experience: James Noble Law is a...
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15 Jan
2025
Litigation Funding Orders: Ensuring Fairness in Legal Proceedings
Litigation funding orders play a critical role in ensuring procedural fairness in legal proceedings, particularly where an imbalance of financial resources between the parties exists. These orders are designed to address situations where one party, often in control of substantial assets, is able to fund legal representation while the other is left at a disadvantage. By allowing access to resources that might ultimately be distributed in property settlements, litigation funding orders aim to level the playing field. This text explores the...
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23 Apr
2024
Navigating Paternity Determination in Brisbane, Queensland: Understanding the Legal Framework
Paternity Determination in Brisbane In Brisbane, Queensland, determining paternity in family law cases involves a complex process guided by the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). Central to this process is the presumption of paternity, which can arise from various circumstances such as marriage, cohabitation, registration of birth, court findings, signed acknowledgments of paternity, and artificial conception. [caption id="attachment_17925" align="alignright" width="350"] Paternity Determination in Brisbane[/caption] However, this presumption is not absolute and can be rebutted through evidence presented on the balance...
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7 Feb
2024
Navigating Grandparents Legal Rights: A Guide to Visitation and Custody Cases in Cairns
The bond between grandparents and their grandchildren is often a source of love, support, and continuity within a family. However, there are instances when grandparents find themselves facing challenges in maintaining this connection, especially during divorce or separation proceedings. In Cairns, as in many other places, understanding the legal rights of grandparents in visitation and custody cases is crucial for ensuring the well-being of both grandparents and grandchildren. Visitation Rights for Grandparents In Cairns, like many jurisdictions, grandparents may seek...
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26 Jan
2024
Legal Landscape for De Facto and Same-Sex Couples in Cairns
In Cairns, as in the rest of Australia, the legal landscape has evolved to recognise the diverse nature of modern relationships, including de facto relationships and those involving same-sex couples. Understanding the rights, responsibilities, and legal aspects of these unions is essential. In this blog, we will explore de facto relationships and the recognition of same-sex couples in Cairns, Australia. De Facto Relationships in Cairns A de facto relationship is a domestic partnership between two people who are not legally...
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12 Jan
2024
Sex work in Queensland: the regulations and the impact on children
The movement around the decriminalisation of sex work in Queensland advocates for the legal recognition of sex work as work, rather than a crime. In March 2023, the Queensland Law Report Commission proposed a range of amendments to the current sex work regulations in Queensland with the aim of reducing stigma and prejudice that currently taints the industry. Briefly, the ALRC Report proposed that by amending the current regulations surrounding sex work to reflect more modern sentiments, a sex work...
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14 Dec
2023
Impact of Recent Family Law Changes on Cairns Residents
Changes in Family Law Affecting Cairns Residents Family law is a dynamic and ever-evolving field, with regular changes and updates that can significantly impact individuals and families. Cairns, a beautiful city in Queensland, Australia, is no exception to these changes. Recent developments in family law have brought about several important modifications that Cairns’ residents should be aware of. In this blog, we will explore some of the key changes in family law that affect Cairns residents and how these changes...
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2 Nov
2023
Relationship Between a Child and an Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) in Family Law
Professional Relationship between a Child and Independent Children's Lawyer (ICL) The child has a right to establish a professional relationship with Independent Children's Lawyer (ICL). In considering any views expressed by the child and the steps to be taken in a matter the ICL is to be aware: that each child will have different emotional, cognitive and intellectual developmental levels, family structures, family dynamics, sibling relationships, religious and cultural backgrounds; and that children are vulnerable to external pressures when caught...
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18 Oct
2023
Navigating Family Law in Later Life Relationships
What Happens If One Party Goes into Aged Care? The High Court decision in the case of Fairbairn v Radecki [2022] HCA 18, is relevant in considering how a settlement might occur if one party were to enter aged care. The facts of Fairbairn v Radecki are as follows: The female appellant and male responded were in a later life relationships commencing in 2010 in the state of New South Wales; There were children of a prior relationship; The parties...
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12 Jul
2023
Top 5 Traits of a Male Narcissist and What to look out for in a Relationship
5 Key Traits of a Male Narcissist Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental condition characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a need for excessive admiration, and a lack of empathy toward others. Men with NPD can be charming and charismatic, but they can also be emotionally abusive and damaging in relationships. Here are five traits of a male narcissist to watch out for in a relationship. Extreme self-centeredness: A male narcissist's primary focus is on himself, and he...
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8 May
2023
Interim Spousal Maintenance | The Law Concepts and Principles
Interim Spousal Maintenance Section 74(1) of the Family Law Act empowers the Court to “make such order as it considers proper for the provision of maintenance” in accordance with Pt VIII of the Act. That primary requirement is set out in s 72(1) of the Act, as follows: (1) A party to a marriage is liable to maintain the other party, to the extent that the first-mentioned party is reasonably able to do so, if, and only if, that other...
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18 Apr
2023
Property issues in a de facto relationship
Property issues in a de facto relationship Australia The Family Court of Australia has jurisdiction under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (“the Act”) to determine matters relating to property as between parties who have not been married, where the parties have lived in a de facto relationship for a period of no less than two years and the relationship finally ended after 1 March 2009, the date on which the particular provisions of the Act commenced. The touchstone or foundational...
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11 Apr
2023
Consent Orders in Family Law Matters
Consent Orders in Family Law Matters - Australia According to the information provided by Adam Cooper in a paper he has delivered. Consent orders are a very useful means of obtaining orders from the Family Court in regard to property and children's matters. Consent orders carry many advantages, including the exemption in property matters for roll-over stamp duty and capital gains tax. Being an economical and less invasive means of resolution, an ability to divide superannuation interests between the parties,...
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19 Oct
2022
The Evatt List – Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
What is Evatt List? The Evatt List is an initiative in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia designed to triage and progress matters that are considered high-risk. The list aims to guide families that are going through a separation with high-level risks through the Court system at a much faster rate, given the urgency of their situation. Matters are eligible to be placed onto the Evatt List if it is for parenting orders only and the parties have...
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19 Sep
2022
Awarding Costs For False Statement To Judge.
Beware of what you tell to the Judge The Court has the power to award costs for false statement against a party who deliberately misleads the Court A vengeful spouse in Family Law Matters may seek revenge against a former partner by making a false statement and misleading allegations against his/her former partner, allegations that have no substance or truth. Be careful what you say. Section 157 of the Domestic and Violence Protection Act (DFVPA) confers discretion to award costs...
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5 Sep
2022
The Affects On Parenting Of Children in 2022
AFFECTS ON PARENTING OF CHILDREN On 26 March 2020, the Chief Justice of the Family Court issued a Statement on Parenting Orders and the affects of COVID-19. The Chief Justice’s statement provided guidance on the listing of matters in the Family Court. It was issued for the purpose of guidance in legal cases and was not a legal principle. It included the following: Parents are naturally deeply concerned about the safety of their children and how the COVID-19 virus will...
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29 Aug
2022
Violent Conduct & The Effect On Property Issues
Violent Conduct & The Effect On Property Issues. Where there is a course of violent conduct by one party towards the other during the marriage which is demonstrated to have had a significant adverse impact upon that party’s contributions to the marriage, or, put the other way, to have made his or her contributions significantly more arduous than they ought to have been, that is a fact which a trial judge is entitled to take into account in assessing the...
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