• Court-based dispute resolution in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

    The Court’s new case management pathway, and particularly the events which are conducted by judicial registrars in court lists and in dispute resolution, is designed to focus parties on potential areas of agreement, and move towards a final resolution of all issues as safely as possible, and without the impact, stress and expense of protracted family law litigation.

  • Admiralty: Avoiding court

    This page provides information about how you might be able to resolve your admiralty or maritime dispute without the need for a court hearing.

  • Lighthouse update: Two years of Lighthouse

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

  • How the Court considers safety and risk

    This page outlines how to notify the Court about family violence and provides information about how allegations of family violence and risk are considered at different stages of the Court process.

  • Family Violence Best Practice Principles

    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…

  • Practice and procedure update: Family law form updates

    As a result of the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) commencing on 10 June 2025, there will be changes to some family law court forms. Some changes are substantive, for example if new questions have been added to forms. A number of forms have minor changes only, where sections of the Act have changed and references need to be updated.

  • Family law: Arbitration

    This page explains what arbitration is, the role arbitration can play in resolving disputes and contact details for accredited arbitrators

  • Financial or property: Financial agreements

    This page provides information about formalising your financial arrangements after separation with a financial agreement rather than court action.

  • Media release: New family law Critical Incident List to help make arrangements for children during a time of crisis

    The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has established a fast-tracked process to help families who need to make appropriate arrangements for children where no parent is available as a result of death, critical injury, or incarceration relating to family violence.
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The Courts acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders, past, present and emerging.