• Deputy Chief Judge

    The Deputy Chief Judge assists the Chief Judge in the judicial administration of the Federal Circuit and Family Court. Particular responsibilities include case management, complaints about judges, the collection and strategic assessment of statistics, pastoral care and oversight of the Court’s committees. In the absence of the Chief Judge, the Deputy Chief Judge performs and exercises the powers of the Chief Judge (s 24).

  • Disclaimer

    Reasonable effort is made to maintain the currency and accuracy of the information on this website. However, before relying on any information, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance for their circumstances, and should obtain appropriate professional advice. The use of the information that is provided on this site is the sole responsibility of the user. If you have concerns about the information on this website, you should contact the Federal Circuit…

  • Social media

    The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Courts) engages in the following social media channels: X (formerly Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn. What you can expect from the Court If you follow the Courts on these platforms, you can expect short updates with the latest news, information and services. This may include notifications of:

  • Media release: Indigenous families in the Lismore region have greatly benefited from specialised services helping families navigate the family law system

    In March last year, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Courts) launched a Specialist Indigenous List (SIL) operating from the Lismore registry in NSW. The SIL was designed to better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parties and children, and to adopt an appropriate degree of informality in relevant family law proceedings.

  • Chief Justice

    The Chief Justice is responsible for ensuring the effective, orderly and expeditious discharge of the business of the Court (s 21B Family Law Act) and for managing its administrative affairs (s 38A). The Chief Justice is assisted in judicial responsibilities by the Deputy Chief Justice (s 21B) and in administrative responsibilities by the Chief Executive Officer (s 38D(3)).

  • Media release: Six new Judges appointed to the FCFCOA (Division 2)

    The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) is pleased to welcome 6 new judicial appointments announced by the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Michelle Rowland MP.

  • Early risk screening and focus on better public health outcomes for families and children

    The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (the Court) provides a new court structure that is innovative, focuses on the safety of children and vulnerable litigants, and changes the culture and conversation around family law – learning from the many inquiries, reviews and calls for change that have occurred in the past. It is also aimed at dealing with the increasing rate of family violence in our community by ensuring risks to vulnerable parties and children are identified at the very…

  • Media release: Deputy Chief Justice McClelland AO, Ms Hayley Foster and Mr David Mandel provide a family law perspective at the Ending Coercive Control & Family Violence conference

    The Hon Deputy Chief Justice Robert McClelland AO and Ms Hayley Foster, Director – Family Violence and Access, Equity and Inclusion from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and (Division 2) (the Courts), today joined Mr David Mandel of the Safe & Together Institute to address the Ending Coercive Control & Family Violence conference, held in Sydney.

  • Update to the profession: Expansion of the Lighthouse Model

    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
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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.