Former judge appointed to oversee revamp of family law processes
Former judge, the Honourable Dr Chris Jessup QC, has been engaged to oversee development of unified family law processes.
The courts are taking a major step to improve family law in Australia, the Family Court said in a statement, including establishing, for the first time, a common set of rules, forms and case management in the Family Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court of Australia.
“In an effort to rectify this problem, a working group of judges of both courts was established in February and government funding has been secured to properly resource this project,” something the Family Court said has been a priority for Chief Justice William Alstergren.
On Friday, Family Court Chief Justice William Alstergren said that former Federal Court Judge, the Honourable Dr Chris Jessup QC, would chair the Joint Rules Harmonisation Working Group and oversee the harmonisation project as well as assist in developing a consistent approach to case management which places a priority on identifying risk to children.
“Dr Jessup QC, assisted by two barristers, will work closely with the judges in the working group to draft a common set of rules and forms, and will be actively involved in consulting with all judges, the profession and other stakeholders that have an interest in the jurisdiction. The appointment of an independent chair to this position will ensure objectivity, transparency and confidence in the process,” he said.
“Despite the best efforts and integrity of individual judges of both courts, and the assistance of the profession, there has been a long history of unacceptable delays in having family law cases heard and determined. That needs to change as does our family law system, and I call upon the profession and other stakeholders to support this vital project as the courts endeavour to improve access to justice for Australian families. The community should expect no less.”
Speaking separately about the proposed merger of the Family Court with the Federal Circuit Court, Law Council of Australia president Arthur Moses SC said the "deeply flawed model" that has been put forward to parliament had the potential of putting vulnerable families and children at risk of inadequate legal outcomes.
“The Family Court is a vital cornerstone of our legal system. Its work is highly specialised and it deals with some of the most difficult and complex family law matters,” he said.
Mr Moses said the Government’s efforts to ram the merger through parliament was “ill-conceived”.
“For the government to proceed with this legislation despite the best advice of key stakeholders, and due consultation or consideration of the Australian Law Reform Commission’s as yet unreleased report into the family law system beggars belief,” he posited.
“Merging one court with another does not address significant underlying issues, including chronic underfunding and under-resourcing, which have led to crippling delays, pressures and costs. There is no doubt the family law system is in need of reform, but this was not the way forward. Our courts need much more funding than they currently receive, and more judges, registrars and counselors must be appointed.”
Jerome Doraisamy
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.
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