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Lighthouse update from the Chief Justice - two years since the implementation of Lighthouse

This update provides important information about Applications for Review filed after close of filing on Friday 15 November 2024. Please be advised that an Application for Review filed on or after 15 November 2024 may not be able to be heard prior to the commencement of the Court shutdown period, being close of business, Tuesday 24 December 2024.

The Chief Justice has issued Family Law Practice Direction – Defaulters’ List. The purpose of the Defaulters’ List is to ensure compliance with the rules of court, and any case management orders and directions made by a Registrar in family law or child support proceedings. The Defaulters’ List is intended to further the overarching purpose of family law practice and procedure.

The Courts have made a minor amendment to a large number of family law forms to introduce a 'filed in' check box option for the FCFCOA (Division 1) and the FCFCOA (Division 2).

The Chief Justice has approved updates to four family law forms; Notice of Address for Service, Notice of Ceasing to Act, Subpoena – family law and Proposed Consent orders template

The Court seeks to draw several matters to the attention of arbitrators and practitioners seeking to register arbitral awards

Update regarding urgent Initiating Application cannot be eFiled through the Commonwealth Courts Portal currently without all of the documents set out in paragraph 2.5 of the Family Law Practice Direction: Parenting Proceedings and paragraph 2.6 of the Family Law Practice Direction: Financial Proceedings being filed.

With today’s commencement of the Family Law Amendment Act 2023 and the Family Law (Information Sharing) Act 2023, amendments have taken effect to four practice directions: Central Practice Direction: Family Law Case Management, Family Law Practice Direction: Parenting Proceedings, Family Law Practice Direction: Financial Proceedings and Family Law Practice Direction: Critical Incident List. In addition, the COVID-19 List Practice Direction has been revoked.

Today the Courts are providing an update in relation to amendments to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021 (Family Law Rules).

A number of court forms require amendments due to the commencement of the Family Law Amendment Act 2023 and the Family Law (Information Sharing) Act 2023 (the Family Law Act Amendments). Some forms have had new questions added or the structure of the form has changed. Other forms have only had minor changes to legislation references (sections of the Family Law Act) or words in the instruction pages. To allow parties and practitioners to prepare for the changes, copies of the new forms are hyperlinked below. They should be filed on or after 6 May 2024.

Changes to the Family Law Act due to the commencement of the Family Law Amendment Act 2023 and Family Law Amendment (Information Sharing) Act 2023 commence on 6 May 2024.

The Courts have responded to feedback and family law judgments and Court Children’s Services reports released from 11 December 2023 will be accessible from the Commonwealth Courts Portal (CCP). This will improve the accessibility of these documents and security of distribution.

This update provides important information about Applications for Review filed after 24 November 2023 in family law.

Lighthouse and the associated bespoke case management for high risk matters focuses on the safety of children and their families by identifying and addressing issues of family violence and other risks.

Update 2 on the expansion of Priority Property Pool Cases including a flow chart which summarises how Initiating Applications seeking financial orders will be considered by the Court from the point of filing.