By Molli Clements.
The Chief Justice has approved updates to four court forms used in family law proceedings:
- Notice of Address for Service;
- Notice of Ceasing to Act;
- Subpoena – Family Law; and
- Proposed Consent Orders Template.
A significant focus of these updates is enhancing litigant safety. Both the Notice of Address for Service and the Notice of Ceasing to Act now emphasise that parties do not need to disclose a residential address if safety is a concern. This ensures that addresses visible on the Commonwealth Courts Portal do not compromise anyone’s safety.
In response to feedback from Legal Aid and Independent Children’s Lawyers, the Subpoena form has been updated with a new Part B for adding Independent Children’s Lawyer details, while additional spaces for party details have been added to Part A.
Lastly, the Proposed Consent Orders Template no longer requires parties to list addresses, in line with the broader trend of removing personal details from family law orders.
These changes reflect ongoing efforts to balance transparency with personal safety in family law proceedings.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) has made significant strides in prioritising safety in family law matters. The recent updates to court forms mentioned above underscore the commitment to protecting vulnerable parties, particularly in cases involving domestic violence. These changes ensure that critical information, which could put individuals at risk, remains confidential while still maintaining the integrity of the legal process.
This move aligns with the FCFCOA’s broader efforts to enhance protections for families navigating the legal system. Alongside legislative changes such as the Family Law Amendment Act 2023, which introduced reforms to parenting orders and contravention applications, the FCFCOA’s updates demonstrate a clear focus on ensuring that family law proceedings do not expose individuals to further harm.
