From January 2023, parties wishing to commence family law proceedings in circuit locations will be able to choose their first return dates before a Judicial Registrar directly on the Commonwealth Courts Portal.

On Monday, 28 November 2022 a number of amendments to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021 will commence.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (the Courts) are delighted to provide this last update with the commencement of the expansion of the Lighthouse model and the Evatt List from this Monday 28 November 2022.

The third update focuses on the Evatt List which is the Courts’ specialist list for those matters that are considered to be of the highest risk, with a focus on family violence and other family safety risks. The Evatt List ensures that families are provided with appropriate support to safeguard against family violence and other associated risks. It also ensures cases are managed through the Court process as efficiently and effectively as possible, with a focus on identifying risks and early information gathering.

This update focuses on Lighthouse risk screening, including Family DOORS Triage, what happens when an eligible proceeding is filed and what happens next.

The Chief Justice has issued the Special Measures Information Notice – Hearing Protocol to replace the Special Measures Information Notice – COVID-19 Hearing Protocol, with effect from Monday, 7 November 2022.

Following Tuesday’s budget announcement, and FCFCOA media release, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (the Courts) have been working on the expansion of the Lighthouse model to 15 family law registries

The Chief Justice has approved changes to the following Court forms:

On 7 September 2022 two family law practice directions were updated.

The FCFCOA Subpoena form (used for all jurisdictions) has been updated and the new

An update to the profession from the CEO and Principal Registrar of the FCFCOA on operational matters in the family law jurisdiction following 1 September 2021 reforms

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia welcomed the announcement of $63.8 million of additional resources (over the four years to 2025-26) to enhance the ability of the Courts to respond to family violence and other risks to vulnerable

Information about transferring of proceedings from Family Court of Australia to Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Division 2 to Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Division 1 and jurisdictional

The three month grace period provided for filing old Family Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court of Australia forms, after the commencement of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) on 1 September 2021, has ended.

In the final edition the Lighthouse Project Update for 2021, this edition will focus on the Evatt List and includes a Q & A with Evatt List Senior Judicial Registrars and Judicial Registrars to address the most common questions that the Court