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

This update provides important information about Applications for Review filed after close of filing on Friday 15 November 2024. Please be advised that an Application for Review filed on or after 15 November 2024 may not be able to be heard prior to the commencement of the Court shutdown period, being close of business, Tuesday 24 December 2024.

The Chief Justice has issued Family Law Practice Direction – Defaulters’ List. The purpose of the Defaulters’ List is to ensure compliance with the rules of court, and any case management orders and directions made by a Registrar in family law or child support proceedings. The Defaulters’ List is intended to further the overarching purpose of family law practice and procedure.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (the Court) officially launched three videos, each of which is available in 12 languages (including English). The videos form part of the Court’s overarching commitment to improving access to justice for culturally and linguistically diverse people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

The Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Mark Dreyfus KC MP announced on 27 September 2024 the appointment of Ms Lisa Doust and Ms Vanessa-Jane Leishman as Judges of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).

The Courts have made a minor amendment to a large number of family law forms to introduce a 'filed in' check box option for the FCFCOA (Division 1) and the FCFCOA (Division 2).

Speaking at the No to Violence National Conference titled, Leading Radical Change: A Call to Action to End Men’s Family Violence, the Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1 and Division 2) (the Courts), the Hon William Alstergren AO, joined a chorus of experts and leaders calling for action to end family violence.

The Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Mark Dreyfus KC MP has announced the appointment of Ms Alexandra Colquhoun, Mr Gregory Shoebridge and Mr Benjamin Zipser as Judges of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) (Division 2).

The Chief Justice has approved updates to four family law forms; Notice of Address for Service, Notice of Ceasing to Act, Subpoena – family law and Proposed Consent orders template

The Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Mark Dreyfus KC MP announced the appointments of nine Judges to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (the Court).

Chief Justice the Hon Will Alstergren AO, together with Judge Matthew Myers and Indigenous Family Liaison Officers Kirsty Maylin and Dwayne Coulthard presented at GARMA, outlining the many initiatives of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and (Division 2) (the Courts) that better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

The Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Mark Dreyfus KC MP has announced the appointment of Judge Elizabeth Boyle, Mr Mark Anderson and Dr Juliet Behrens to Division 1 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA).

The Courts proudly host their inaugural First Nations Forum in Brisbane, involving leaders from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community led legal and social services sector and other services supporting First Nations children and families through the family law system.

The Court seeks to draw several matters to the attention of arbitrators and practitioners seeking to register arbitral awards

The Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Mark Dreyfus KC MP announced today the appointment of Ms Tuskeen Jacobs as a Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) (Division 2). Ms Jacobs has been appointed to the Brisbane Registry and will commence on 8 July 2024.