Myth #2: use of the gavel
Thursday September 24, 2009

Myth #2: use of the gavel

Thursday, September 24, 2009

I have been asked many times over the years about whether the judge will use a gavel. Actually, most of the time I’m not asked about gavels, but about the judge’s hammer, because this is after all what the gavel is: the stamp of the judge’s authority.
Well the best answer is probably the easiest. Someone, somewhere may use gavels in the courtroom in Australia. At best their use is rare. It’s just that in almost 25 years of going to various courts including the High Court, Family Court in Brisbane, Townsville and Sydney, I have never seen the gavel in court, let alone being used there.
Stephen Page, Harrington Family Lawyers, Brisbane spage@harringtonfamilylawyers.com 61(7) 3221 9544
Request an Appointment
Fill in the form below to find out if you have a claim.
Request an Appointment - Stephen Page
Things to Read, Watch & Listen
Surrogacy in South Africa: Can Australians Qualify?

Surrogacy in South Africa: what Australians should know

South Africa might seem like an obvious overseas surrogacy destination for Australians. It has high-quality IVF services, costs can be lower than in some other international destinations, and Australia has a substantial South African community, particularly in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and South East Queensland. Yet South Africa is not an option for most Australian intended… Read More »Surrogacy in South Africa: what Australians should know

Egg Donation in South Africa: Legal Risks for Aussies

Egg donation in South Africa: the legal risks explained

For many Australians, egg donation in South Africa has long been an attractive fertility option. The medical standards are high, the costs can be significantly lower than comparable treatment in Australia, and there has historically been a greater availability of egg donors. But an overseas egg donation journey is not simply a question of choosing… Read More »Egg donation in South Africa: the legal risks explained

Breaching Parenting Orders: What Are Your Options?

Breaching parenting orders: what you can do

When parenting orders are not being followed, it is understandable to feel frustrated, powerless and eager to take immediate action. A parent may miss time with their children, be denied communication, or find that arrangements which were meant to provide certainty are simply not working in practice. However, taking an ex-partner back to court is… Read More »Breaching parenting orders: what you can do

Family Law Section Law Council of Australia Award
Member of Queensland law society
Family law Practitioners Association
International Academy of Family Lawyers - IAFL
Mediator Standards Board