Although strictly speaking it is not a ‘costs jurisdiction’ Costs Orders are often made where the circumstances warrant doing so, such as where a party’s conduct has lengthened proceedings or a party has continued to
Adoption proceedings are not common. Blended families are very much the ‘norm’ and have been for many years but there can sometimes be compelling reasons for seeking an Order for adoption. However, even where one
Unfortunately, the penchant for appeals is not solely confined to self-represented litigants. Practitioners should not expend costs opposing technical filing arguments where the substantive impact on their client is negligible.
The Family Court of Western Australia dismissed a mother’s application to have parenting proceedings determined in a non-Convention country, finding the children remained habitually resident in Australia and that jurisdiction under the Family Law Act
By majority, the Court of Appeal of Western Australia held that provisions of the Surrogacy Act 2008 (WA) excluding same-sex couples from eligibility for a parentage order were inconsistent with the Sex Discrimination Act 1984
Parenting proceedings listed for a 7-day trial before Justice O’Brien in the Family Court of Western Australia. Between them, the parties sought to call evidence from 25 witnesses.
Emotional Toll and Vicarious Trauma: Family lawyers frequently deal with emotionally charged cases that can have a profound impact on their mental health. The exposure to intense emotions and traumatic experiences may lead to compassion
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It can occur in any occupation, but it is most common in high-stress jobs, such as healthcare, law, and
Trusts are one of the most challenging asset types in family law property matters. Whether it’s a family discretionary trust, a hybrid unit trust, a corporate structure wrapped inside a trust, or an SMSF holding trust assets, practitioners must understand how a trust operates before advising clients or attempting to draft Orders that deal with trust property. This guide breaks down the essentials every lawyer must master.
Family law matters often turn on more than what parties say. They turn on what can be proven. In an era where financial structures are complex, parenting disputes are increasingly nuanced, and digital footprints form part of the evidentiary landscape, forensic evidence has become an essential tool for modern family lawyers.
Family law clients rarely speak in straight lines. Their words are shaped by fear, grief, anger, shame, confusion, or exhaustion — and often all at once. As practitioners, our job is not only to listen to what clients say, but to understand what sits underneath what they say. The ability to spot emotional triggers early is one of the most valuable skills a family lawyer can develop. It informs strategy, improves rapport, reduces conflict, and ultimately leads to better outcomes for clients and matters alike.
