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Cross Examination - Changes to Family Court Act
20/09/2021
The Family Court Act 1997 (WA) has now been amended to provide that from 9 December 2021, parties in family law proceedings are prohibited from personally cross-examining each other (which usually occurs at a trial) where there is an allegation of family violence between them and certain circumstances apply.
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PD 1 of 2021 - New Family Court Rules 2021
23/08/2021
The Family Court Rules 2021 were gazetted on 18 August 2021 and take effect on 23 August 2021.
All prescribed, non-prescribed and other forms and brochures for use in the Family Court of Western Australia have been modified.
See Practice Direction 1 of 2021
Family Law Magistrate (Pool) - Expressions of Inte
13/08/2021
Expressions of interest in the Family Law Magistrate appointment pool are invited from persons who have had at least 5 years’ legal experience, as defined in the Magistrates Court Act 2004, and who are able to demonstrate significant family law experience.
Closing date: Applications must be received by 4:30pm Monday 23 August 2021.
Wearing Masks at Family Court
05/07/2021
All in-person hearings (including Trials) will be proceeding as and from Monday, 5 July 2021. In relation to courtrooms:
Public Notice 3 of 2021 - COVID-19 - 29 June 2021
30/06/2021
This public notice is in addition to the Public Notice issued by the Chief Justice of Western Australia on 28 June 2021.
The directions contained in Public Notice 3 of 2021 in relation to the business of the Family Court of Western Australia are effective immediately.
Information Note to Practitioners
29/06/2021
A new Information Note to Practitioners dated 29 June 2021 has been issued by the Principal Registrar in relation to Subpoenas for the Production of Documents by the Director of Public Prosecutions for WA.
28/06/2021
For the period commencing Monday 28 June 2021 to Wednesday 30 June 2021, all persons attending the court must wear masks at all times, including in courtrooms, hearing rooms and mediation rooms. The requirement to wear a mask applies to judicial officers, court staff, counsel and members of the public. Exceptions to wearing a mask may apply in some circumstances during the course of hearings or mediations. The application of those exceptions will be determined by the judicial officer presiding at each hearing or mediation.
Further information is available from: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus
Court Fees Increase on 1 July 2021
25/06/2021
The fees payable in the Court will increase from 1 July 2021 to reflect changes to the consumer price index over the past financial year. This is an automatic increase provided by the relevant fee regulations.
Parenting Orders Enforcement and Compliance Survey
The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) has been commissioned by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) to undertake research in relation to the compliance with and enforcement of family law parenting orders. The research will involve multiple studies, including a survey of parents and carers.
22/06/2021
A new Information Note to Practitioners dated 18 June 2021 has been issued by the Principal Registrar in relation to General List and Readiness Hearing procedures.
AIFS Survey of Legal and Family Law Professionals
20/05/2021
The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) has been commissioned by Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) to undertake research in relation to the compliance with and enforcement of family law parenting orders. The research will involve multiple studies, including a survey of legal and non-legal family law system professionals.
Job Opportunity - Legal Associate to Chief Judge
07/05/2021
The Family Court of Western Australia invites applications for the position of Legal Associate to the Chief Judge from persons with a tertiary qualification in Law (preferably Honours, but not essential). This position is for twelve (12) months, with an option for a further twelve (12) months. Applications close on Monday, 17 May 2021 at 4.30pm.
New Information Videos
30/04/2021
Videos have been produced for the Family Court of Western Australia to assist parties in understanding processes related to Conciliation Conferences, Child Related Proceedings and Case Assessment Conferences and what to expect at these court events.
Perth and Peel COVID-19 Restrictions from 27 April
27/04/2021
The Chief Justice of Western Australia has issued a COVID-19 Public Notice relating to the operations of Courts in Western Australia, including Family Court of Western Australia, during the COVID-19 restrictions that apply from 27 April 2021.
Main Public Number 08 9224 8222 Working Again
18/02/2021
Please note the Family Court Call Centre and main public number 08 9224 8222 technical issues have been resolved and the service is now working again.
Reopening to Public Monday 15 February 2021
12/02/2021
Subject to any further Directions issued by the State Emergency Coordinator under the Emergency Management Act 2005 (WA), the Family Court will reopen to the public on Monday 15 February 2021.
All hearings, including trials and conferences will be conducted requiring the personal attendance of parties and/or lawyers, subject to any prior directions/orders made by the Court.
Parties continue to be encouraged to attend Directions only hearings by telephone, subject to any prior directions/orders made by the Court.
Public Notice 2 of 2021 - COVID-19 - 3 Feb 2021
04/02/2021
The directions contained in Public Notice 2 of 2021 are in relation to the business of the Family Court of Western Australia for hearings and conferences for the week commencing 8 February 2021. Public Notice 2 of 2021 is in addition to the Public Notice 1 of 2021 issued by this Court.
Public Notice 1 of 2021 - COVID-19 - 31 Jan 2021
31/01/2021
This public notice is in addition to the Public Notice issued by the Chief Justice of Western Australia on 31 January 2021. The directions contained in the notice in relation to the business of the Family Court of Western Australia are effective immediately. Download Family Court of Western Australia - Public Notice 1 of 2021 - COVID-19
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