The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (“The Court”) has issued an update in respect of parties seeking to commence proceedings in regional and remote areas of Australia.
This update allows for an Applicant to choose a first return date before a Judicial Registrar of a Court on the circuit when filing their initiating documents on the Commonwealth Courts Portal. Only one Judicial Registrar will be assigned to circuit locations, ensuring that there is a level of consistency for parties. There will be an increase in the availability of these first return events as well, to ensure that as many families have access to this resource as possible. These First Return events will be held by electronic means.
In New South Wales the following circuit locations are now available in line with this update:
1. Albury;
2. Armidale;
3. Broken Hill;
4. Coffs Harbour;
5. Dubbo;
6. Lismore;
7. Tamworth;
8. Wagga Wagga;
9. Wauchope/Forster.
The effect of this update is that it ensures that parties who engage with the Court system experience the benefit of a case management pathway that is the day-to-day experience for matters commenced in larger cities. It is hoped that families will therefore be able to have faster resolution to their matters, in line with the central principles of the Court to promote the quick, efficient and cost-effective resolution of family disputes.
