Today is family law summit, day one

Today is family law summit, day one

This morning in Canberra, the Federal Government under the leadership of Attorney-General Robert McClelland, is hosting a family law summit. The Government handpicked 200 delegates, including lawyers, judges, family dispute resolution professionals, legal aid officials and the like to discuss issues affecting family law. Topics include child support and online support.

One of the delegates is my partner, Julie Harrington, who was invited by virtue of her chairing the Queensland Law Society Family Law Section.

The reality about family law is that it will constantly change, both to reflect the whims and expectations of government, but hopefully also to reflect the needs of society. Current challenges include the Semple review of the Family and Federal Magistrates Courts, and the increase in jurisdiction of the Family and Federal Magistrates Courts on 1 March when the de facto property changes take effect in all States other than South Australia and Western Australia.

I don’t know if this is the first family law summit ever, but I do not recall one ever being held in the past.

Things to Read, Watch & Listen

Forced Marriage

On November 1st 2023, Accredited Family Law Specialist and Page Provan Director Stephen Page presented a paper at the Brisbane Zonta Club about forced marriage. I acknowledge the Jagera and Turrbal peoples, on whose lands we meet today, their elders, past, present and emerging. Ruqia Hidari was aged 21 and living in Victoria, when, according to police,… Read More »Forced Marriage

ACT Government Surrogacy Bill

The ACT Government has today introduced a bill to amend the ACT’s surrogacy laws. The proposed changes are more incremental than fundamental. They include allowing a single person to undertake surrogacy, for the surrogate to be single if needed, a requirement for legal advice and counselling beforehand, a written agreement being required, that traditional surrogacy is… Read More »ACT Government Surrogacy Bill

Planning to resolve: ADR in ART

ADR can help resolve disputes in ART cases. ADR is not limited to mediation and arbitration. Other types of informal dispute resolution can resolve disputes. When assisted reproductive treatment cases go off the rails, they can have the next level of bitterness and volatility. There can be a keen sense of betrayal when things don’t… Read More »Planning to resolve: ADR in ART

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