Pilot program for divorce hearings to be conducted by video

This shift to hearings by video brings divorce hearings in line with all other electronic hearings currently conducted by the Court, increasing accessibility for all parties and allowing for the efficient conduct of divorce hearings.

In the event of safety concerns or technology limitations, the Deputy Registrar has a discretion to allow parties or practitioners to appear without video. Any concerns should be raised with the Court prior to the hearing.

The pilot will continue for an appropriate period of time to allow video hearings for divorce to be properly trialled. Any change will be communicated in a further practice and procedure update.

Why Webex?

For divorce hearings, Webex utilises one static link for each divorce list that is made visible on the Commonwealth Courts Portal when the matter is listed and on the daily Court List from 4pm AEST, the day before the Court event.

This makes things easier for Court users, because they don't have to search through emails for a unique link before each court event. It also improves efficiencies for the Courts, allowing staff to better support judges, registrars, and the matters they handle.

How do I access the Webex link?

There are 2 ways to access Webex links for a Court event:

1. Visit the daily Court List:

   • Click the Webex link (listed above the name of the presiding judicial officer) to enter the virtual courtroom. Example:

     
      
2. Log in to the Commonwealth Courts Portal
   • Go to 'Court Events and Orders'
   • Copy the link for the Court event and paste it into a web browser.

Participants can join a Webex hearing by video and audio, or audio only, from a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone.

When participants join the hearing, the experience is similar to Microsoft Teams. 

For more information about attending electronic court events see, Electronic hearings.

Training and helpful resources

Parties and practitioners should refresh and familiarise themselves with the following resources relating to Webex Court events:

• Practitioner and Litigant Guide to Electronic Hearings for information relevant to connecting to, participating and engaging in Webex virtual Court hearings.
• Electronic hearings for information relevant to participating in virtual Court hearings, including Court etiquette.
• Cisco Webex | Test online meeting for practitioners and parties to familiarise themselves with a Webex meeting prior to their virtual Court event. 

The Webex experience is similar to Microsoft Teams.

For resources available in various languages, see the Webex Help Centre and select your language from the top right:

• Join a Webex Meeting for the first time as a guest
• Choose your audio and video settings before you join a meeting or webinar
• Webex Meetings mobile app resources

Your support

The Courts are committed to ensuring that parties and practitioners are confident in the use of Webex as outlined in 'Training and helpful resources' section above. We ask that practitioners assist unrepresented parties with information about how to access the daily Court list and Webex details, where necessary.

If you experience any difficulties with the Webex platform, please contact the Chambers of the presiding judicial officer, ensuring that both parties are copied into such correspondence in line with the Guide to Communicating with the Courts.

We welcome your feedback and suggestions about the Webex for divorce pilot by email to customer.service@fcfcoa.gov.au.

Thank you for your participation and cooperation with this important initiative.