Family Dispute resolution for all Parenting Orders
Saturday June 14, 2008

Family Dispute resolution for all Parenting Orders

Saturday, June 14, 2008

All people applying to the Family Court or the Federal Magistrates Court for a parenting order must first attend family dispute resolution under changes to family law, except where there is child abuse, family violence or in matters of urgency, Attorney-General Robert McClelland has said.

The changes will take effect from 1 July 2008 and are designed to help separating families resolve disputes without litigation. The changes were foreshadowed as part of the 2006 family law reforms.

The new requirements affect all applications to the court for a parenting order under Part VII of the Family Law Act 1975 relating to children’s matters, irrespective of whether previous applications to the court have been made.

There is currently an exception for parties not to have to attend family dispute resolution if applications were made before 1 July 2006. That exception will now be removed.

“Currently, people are only required to attend family dispute resolution if they have lodged a new application for a parenting order after 1 July 2007,” Mr McClelland said.

“The exceptions to family dispute resolution will remain in cases where there is child abuse or family violence, or in matters of urgency,” Mr McClelland said.

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