Upcoming changes in the Family Courts

Anyone who has had a matter in family law will usually say that the Family Law System needs to be changed. It is, and will be the biggest change in the Australian Family Law system since 1975.

From 1 September 2021, the Family Court and Federal Circuit Courts will be merging and will now be one court called the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. There will be a new case management system for Family Law matters. The main goals of this merger are to increase the efficiency of our clogged-up Family Courts, and to redirect parents and separated couples away from litigation and into alternative dispute resolution wherever possible.

If you are involved in a family law dispute, or are considering commencing family law proceedings, here are the changes that may affect you:

Requirement for genuine attempt to resolve the dispute