This is the fifth edition of the Family Violence Best Practice Principles. The first edition was published in March 2009. These Family Violence Best Practice Principles are designed to provide practical guidance to court users, legal practitioners, litigants and service providers regarding the way in which matters involving issues of family violence are managed in the Courts. They also set out the Courts’ expectations as to the knowledge and understanding decision makers and practitioners appearing before the Courts should have regarding the complexities of family violence. The Family Violence Best Practice Principles are to be read in conjunction with the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), the Rules of the Courts and relevant Practice Directions.

It has been acknowledged that separation and divorce are one of the most stressful life events a person can experience. Regardless of the terms in which a relationship ended, there are a number of emotional, practical and legal matters that may need to be addressed, all of which contribute to heightened stress.

This fact sheet explains what a recovery order is and who can apply for a recovery order. It also includes information about what you can do when a child has been taken from Australia without consent, or has not been returned to Australia.

This information relates to proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Court) and has been provided to assist court users to prepare documents for eFiling via the Commonwealth Courts Portal (CCP). Documents must be prepared to meet the requirements of the applicable court rules.

This fact sheet explains what an affidavit is and when you need to file one in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Court). It also gives basic information about what you can and cannot include in an affidavit.

Information about what Court Child Experts are and their work in the Court

This fact sheet provides information for parties who have had a Child Impact Report ordered by the Court.

This brochure provides information for people considering applying to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia for parenting orders. It provides information about the pre-action procedures required before starting a parenting case.

This brochure provides information for people considering applying to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Court) for financial or property orders. In particular, it provides information about pre-action procedures required before starting a case.

This Guide summarises the involvement and role of an Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) in the Evatt List, which is a specialist list established in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) to resolve high risk matters. This Guide should be read in conjunction with the Guide for Practitioners.