On 1 September 2021 the Family Court of Australia merged with the Federal Circuit Court of Australia to become the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA). Lander & Daniel Lawyers & Conveyancers applauds this recent merger that allows for faster, simpler, less costly and more efficient resolution of family law matters.
The overarching purpose of the FCFCOA is to facilitate just, timely, less costly and more efficient resolution of disputes, according to law. Equally so, the Court’s focus remains on the safety and protection of parties and children from abuse and violence. The Court’s primary duty is to prioritise the best interests of children and safe and sustainable outcomes for families.
How does the new merger work?
The FCFCOA offers a single point of entry for all family law matters and is comprised of two divisions:
− Division 1 deals with more complex family law matters exclusively, as per the former Family Court of Australia.
− Division 2 deals with family law, migration and general federal law matters, as per the former Federal Circuit Court of Australia.
The FCFCOA’s aim is to deal with most matters within 12 months of commencement of proceedings. To this end, an emphasis is directed to pre-Court processes, dispute resolution procedures, an initial triage process to assess appropriate allocation of the matter and a new case management system. There will be serious consequences for non-compliance with any orders, Practice Directions, the Family Law Rules or failure to conduct the matter in accordance with the Court’s overarching purpose.
Lander & Daniel can help with your family law matter
At Lander & Daniel Lawyers & Conveyancers we are here to help you. We are committed to a collaborative, efficient, just and cost effective resolution of your family law matter. If you would like more information or to discuss how we can help you, please get in touch here.