Family Dispute Resolution: Certificates now required
Monday July 2, 2007

Family Dispute Resolution: Certificates now required

Monday, July 02, 2007

Family Dispute Resolution

New regulations have been made which will govern the introduction of compulsory dispute resolution in parenting cases and the accreditation of family dispute resolution practitioners.

The Family Law Amendment Regulations 2007 (No 1) amend the Family Law Regulations 1984 to reflect changes introduced by the Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006. In particular the Regulations:

· Establish the Family Dispute Resolution Register;

· Introduce interim Accreditation Rules for family dispute resolution practitioners;

· Prescribe information to be given to people prior to family dispute resolution;

· Prescribe information to be provided by legal practitioners and courts under the Act; and

· Prescribe matters for the purpose of section 60I of the Family Law Act, which requires that a certificate from a family dispute resolution practitioner be filed with an application for an order under Part VII of the Act.

Members are reminded that from 1 July, courts will not be able to hear an application for a parenting order in a new case unless the person seeking the order first obtains a certificate from a registered family dispute resolution practitioner. There are some exceptions, such as in cases of family violence or child abuse.

All family dispute resolution practitioners must be included on a new family dispute resolution register in order to issue valid certificates.

Source: Family Law Section, Law Council of Australia

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
Queensland IVF Legislation 2025: Crisis, Fixes & What Changed

Queensland’s IVF Legislation Crisis Explained

When lawmaking is rushed to meet political timetables, real people can become unintended casualties. Queensland’s recent overhaul of assisted reproductive technology laws provides a clear example: changes intended to protect patients instead created immediate and painful barriers to treatment. How a political deadline turned into a legal problem In 2023, the Queensland government declared regulation… Read More »Queensland’s IVF Legislation Crisis Explained

ALRC Surrogacy Law Review 2025: Expert Submission by Stephen Page

On 5 December 2025, Stephen Page, Director at Page Provan Family and Fertility Lawyers, submitted a comprehensive response to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s review of Australia’s surrogacy laws. As Australia’s leading surrogacy lawyer, Stephen has advised in over 2,000 surrogacy journeys since 1988—spanning domestic and international arrangements across 39 countries and every known surrogacy… Read More »ALRC Surrogacy Law Review 2025: Expert Submission by Stephen Page

Is the West Australian Surrogacy Act Unconstitutional?

Is the West Australian Surrogacy Act Unconstitutional?

The West Australian Surrogacy Act is at the centre of a constitutional challenge that could transform who may lawfully pursue surrogacy in Western Australia. The matter was heard in the Supreme Court on 18 November 2025, and judgment was expected within six weeks. At stake is whether state surrogacy rules that exclude single men, gay… Read More »Is the West Australian Surrogacy Act Unconstitutional?

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