The Latest News & Information

Pursuant to section 65C(ba) of the Family Law Act 1975, a grandparent may apply to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia for parenting orders relating to a child/ren.  The court must always consider what orders are in the best interest of the child/ren when making orders with respect...

Following the implementation of various government mandates in 2021 which required certain persons to be vaccinated to enter facilities and government advice that children of particular ages can be vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus, the Court has seen an increase in the number of matters brought before it for determination...

Working in family law, particularly domestic violence can sometimes involve working with aggressive and threatening clients or opposing parties. Clients who did not receive the result they hoped for or the opposing party who has taken a dislike to you because you are acting against them, may exert threatening behavior...

Parenting Plan  A parenting plan is a written agreement that confirms the parenting arrangements for the child. A parenting plan must: Be in writing; and   Be made between the parents of a child; and  Be signed by the parents of the child; and  Be dated; and  Deal with a relevant...

Criteria that must be met for a protection order to be made? Pursuant to Section 37 of the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (“the Act”) a court may make a protection order if the court is satisfied that: A relevant relationship exists between the aggrieved and the respondent;...

You’ve likely heard the terms ‘emotional abuse’, ‘coercive control’ and ‘psychological violence’. We hear these sayings all too frequently in the news, usually associated with a domestic violence-related murder. But what do these terms actually mean? What behaviour constitutes ‘emotional/psychological violence’ and ‘coercive control’? How can we identify whether we’re...

Lisa Foley and Deborah Awyzio presented for TV Education Network, a portal for Continuing Professional Development (CPD)  on 25 November 2020. The webinar was recorded and on the topic of preparing for mediation with practical tips and resources to maximise the chance of reaching a settlement. Deborah spoke of the...

  Coercive Control has been described as a form of intimate terrorism, but is it illegal in Australia? What is Coercive Control? Coercive control is the term given to a series of behaviours abusers use to dominate, manipulate and micro-manage every aspect of their victim’s life. Behaviours may include restricting...