Category: Law

Family Violence and Abuse Like all practitioners, the ICL is expected to be familiar with the relevant provisions of the Family Law Act 1975, the Family Law Rules, the Family Violence Best Practice Principles of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and the Family Court of Western Australia. The ICL must also be familiar with other relevant best practice guidelines and where relevant, the protocols between the court and state and territory departments responsible for the investigation of...

Professional Relationship between a Child and an ICL The child has a right to establish a professional relationship with the 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 in disputes involving their...

What Happens If One Party Goes into Aged Care? [caption id="attachment_16637" align="alignright" width="300"] Family Law in Later Life Relationships[/caption] 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-in-life relationship commencing in 2010 in the state of New South Wales;...

Family Dispute Resolution The merger of the courts on 1 September 2021 brought with it a shift in how family law cases proceed, with a greater emphasis on dispute resolution both before and during a proceeding, and new rules to facilitate that shift.  See brochures: “Before you file – pre-action procedure for parenting cases” and “Before you file – pre-action procedure for financial cases” In both thee FCFCA and FCWA lawyers must assist their clients to comply with their duty...

Matrimonial Home Principles which are Applicable to Sole Use and Occupation The principles to be applied in making an order for sole use and occupancy of the former matrimonial home pursuant to s 114(1) of the Act are to be understood in light of the observations about the general nature of the injunctive powers of this section of the Act. They may be summarised as follows: a) the Court may make such an order as it thinks proper; b) there are no words...

Independent Children's Lawyer (ICL) [caption id="attachment_16543" align="alignright" width="350"] Independent Children's Lawyer[/caption] RELEVANT LAW The Family Court has inherent jurisdiction and hence power to control its own proceedings including the power to appoint and discharge an ICL. Such power is by its nature discretionary. Specifically, the power to appoint an  Independent Children's Lawyer (ICL) is provided at s 68L of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (“The Act”).   Section 68LA sets out the role of the ICL as follows: 68LA...

5 Key Traits of a Female Narcissist Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. While both men and women can have NPD, research suggests that female narcissists may use different tactics than their male counterparts to get what they want. Here are five traits of a female narcissist to watch out for in a relationship. Self-absorption One of the hallmarks of NPD...

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...

Legal Costs in family law proceedings: Overview and Legal Framework [caption id="attachment_16375" align="alignright" width="350"] Legal Costs in family law proceedings: Overview and Legal Framework[/caption] The law relating to costs in family law proceedings is well settled and set out in detail in the Full Court decision of Parke & The Estate of the Late A Parke. General Presumption and Exceptions An application for costs is governed by s 117 of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (“the Act”). Section 117(1) of the Act sets out the...

Property proceedings - Family Court of Australia - Full Court [caption id="attachment_11763" align="alignright" width="350"] Property proceedings - Family Court of Australia - Full Court[/caption] Barnell & Barnell [2020] FamCAFC 102  This case looked at the principles relevant to the assessment of contributions determining property proceedings pursuant to s 79 of the Family Law Act 1975 Applicable principles It is well-settled by the authority that the assessment of contributions under s 79 of the Act is not a mathematical exercise. Evaluating Disparate Contributions Contribution, either direct...

INTERIM SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE The law – concepts and principles 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,...

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...

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,...

What is Evatt List? [caption id="attachment_15920" align="alignright" width="300"] The Evatt List – Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia[/caption] 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...

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...

We are heading into uncertain times The impact of the war in Ukraine and the affect on our economy The high cost of living Rising interest rates Inflation How is this affecting me? Am I able to financially care for my family?  How is this affecting my partner and my family's relationship? Is the stress too much to bear? Hopefully, there is a solution But what if it becomes too much and causes a breakdown in your relationship with your...

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...

The Kennon Principle- Kennon & Kennon [1997] FamCA 27; (1997) FLC 92-757 (“Kennon”). Violent Conduct & The Effect On Property Issues. [caption id="attachment_13897" align="alignright" width="350"] Violent Conduct & The Effect On Property Issues[/caption] 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...

Can you use secret audio recordings in family law? As technology continues to evolve, it is becoming more common for clients to ask whether they can use secret audio recordings in their family law matters. Before you consider recording your conversation with the other party, there are several important factors that you need to consider, including: Whether the recording is legal to make in Queensland; Whether a Court will allow the recording to be used as evidence; and  Whether you...

A common question asked in Family Law is who is legally entitled to the matrimonial home during separation?  It is not as simple as one party kicking the other party out of the home. What be done if the property is in your name or What if the property is owned by both parties?  Property which is part of a Family law dispute has different rules to commercial and property law. Family Law the possession and ownership do not have...