File on the Commonwealth Courts Portal To access court documents or electronically file them on the Commonwealth Courts Portal, users firstly need to complete the registration process. This blog provides a step-by-step guide with visual aids to help you access your file. Please note: If you already have a file with the Court, you will need to link yourself to it using your file number and client number. It is crucial to ensure that all proceedings (past and future) involving...
From 1 September 2021 the Federal Circuit Court and Family Court of Australia has implemented new Pre-Action Procedures that must be adhered to and followed prior to anyone commencing Court proceedings. The aim of the Pre-Action Procedures are to give the matter a chance at resolving amicably before the pathway of litigation is commenced. The new Pre-Action Procedures are set out in Schedule 1 of the Federal Circuit Court and Family Court Rules 2001 and include the following: Providing the...
In parenting matters, the Court’s main focus is making orders that align with the children’s best interests as this remains the paramount consideration. But how does the Court determine what is in the best interests of the child? There is no hard and fast rule for this. Each case is decided depending on it’s own circumstances and there are a number of considerations the Court takes into account. These considerations are broken down into “primary” considerations and “additional” considerations. The...
Did you know that you need to have a mediation certificate before you can commence Court proceedings seeking parenting orders? The mediation certificate is also known as a Section 60I Certificate and is issued by registered family dispute resolution providers in the following circumstances: To confirm both parties attended mediation and made a genuine effort to resolve the dispute;Â To confirm both parties attended mediation but one party did not make a genuine effort to resolve the dispute;Â The practitioner...
The adoption process in Queensland is managed by the government organisation Adoption Services Queensland. A child’s Stepparent (being either married or in a de facto relationship with the parent of the child) can make an application to adopt the child if they can satisfy the below criteria: The Stepparent is an adult. The Stepparent is an Australian Citizen or the spouse of an Australian Citizen. The Stepparent is ordinarily resident and living in Queensland. The Stepparent has lived with the...
On 1 September 2021 the Family Court of Australia merged with the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. The new Court referred to as the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has a primary aim to finalise 90% of property or parenting matters by way of providing a final judgment and decision within 12 months of filing an Initiating Application. For years, the Family and Federal Circuit Court’s have been overworked, understaffed, and plagued by constant delays and adjournments of...
In parenting proceedings, parties are required to complete a Court form titled Notice of Child Abuse, Family Violence or Risk which discloses any allegations the parent may have against the other party which places children at risk. If a party alleges there is a drug or substance abuse problem on behalf of a parent, then that parent may be required, via Court Orders, to undertake some form of drug testing. The drug testing can include urine samples and hair follicle...
Punishment For Breach of a Family Court Order In a recent decision of the Family Court, it was ordered that a mother serve an immediate term of imprisonment of 14 days and further that she be subject to a further term of imprisonment of 14 days which will be fully suspended. This arose because the mother had failed on numerous occasions to allow her child to spend time with the child’s father when there were orders in place for the...
Britney Spears is making international headlines yet again, but this time there’s no new album being released or a shot gun Las Vegas wedding. Ms Spears actively continues to strongly oppose the conservatorship which granted her Father control over her finances, financial and personal decisions that has been in place since 2008. Ms Spears primary objection is that the conservatorship is no longer warranted and that it has become oppressive and used as a method of control against her. The...
Objection to vaccination of children Family Court jurisdiction 1. Children Family Court Jurisdiction: In a recent decision in the Family Court found that it was very regrettably that the mother did not support the child being vaccinated. The Court considered that her opposition to the child being vaccinated, as the child’s principal carer, would likely complicate the process and make it much more difficult for the child. The Court considered that in these circumstances it would be counter-productive for the...
More Funding for the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court of Australia. The recently announced 2021-2022 Budget has allocated $100 million over 4 years to the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court of Australia. It is hoped that this increased funding will assist in reducing the significant delays associated with the Court, which were amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will also assist in improving safety measures for litigants, children and their families and the overworked system in general....
Working Remotely with The Best Law Firm Australia, ain't no joke! To successfully start working remotely for the best law firm in Australia, it is imperative that you have excellent Workplace Communication in place. Communication is especially important in the workplace; this is what drives increased productivity, improves morale and efficiency. It helps foster an excellent working relationship between you, your boss, and your colleagues. Therefore, at James Noble Law we start the day with a Microsoft Teams meeting and...
What Happens If My Ex Won’t Sign the Divorce Papers? Divorce can be a very difficult time in both parties’ lives. But here you can find a better solution for Online Divorce Application. Sometimes after the breakdown of a marriage, one party has difficulty in accepting this fact and may refuse to sign divorce papers. Other situations might involve a controlling ex-partner or parties who believe they will get back together. For whatever reason, if the other party is refusing...
Can Family Court Make An Order In Relation To An Unborn Child? No! The Family Court is powerless to make orders prior to the birth of the child. As a family lawyer, I often receive inquiries from soon-to-be fathers wanting to know their rights in relation to their unborn child. In a recent matter, the father gave instructions in relation to his partner’s pregnancy. The expected date of birth of the child was three weeks from the date I received...
Important information and contact details about the Family Law Courts Brisbane The Family Law Courts Brisbane’ National Enquiry Centre (NEC) is the entry point for all telephone and email inquiries about Family Law Court matters in the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. [caption id="attachment_9140" align="aligncenter" width="529"] Harry Gibbs Commonwealth Law Courts Building[/caption] The NEC can assist with: Information about how to apply to the court Making urgent applications to the family law court Procedural...
Understanding Shared Parental Responsibility Shared parental responsibility is governed by the Family Law Act, which determines where children should live and how much time they should spend with each parent or other significant adults in their lives. This law, implemented in 2006, emphasises the need for both parents to consult and agree on major decisions affecting their children. Key Principles of the Legislation The legislation in Queensland outlines that: Parenting is a Shared Responsibility: The law generally requires parents to...
