Family Law Proceedings and Artificial Intelligence: Navigating the Court’s Expectations for Court Users
23 July 2026 Overview On 29 May 2026, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) issued a new Practice Direction on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in its court proceedings. The Practice Direction recognises that AI technologies, including generative AI (GenAI) tools, can provide significant benefits to court users. These technologies can […]
PARENTING ORDERS AREN’T BEING FOLLOWED? WHAT THE COURT CAN DO UNDER THE AMENDED FAMILY LAW ACT?
If your ex-partner is not complying with child-related orders, you may be wondering whether the court can, or will, step in. Some changes to the Family Law Act 1975, which took effect in May 2024, have impacted how contravention applications are handled by the court. The amended legislation places more of an emphasis on deterrence, […]
Practical Tips for Parents Funding Adult Children’s Family Law Litigation
These days, many elderly parents are stepping in financially to help support their adult children through the challenges of separation and family law disputes. This blog explores three key issues for parents in this situation: litigation abuse, cost‑management through good case strategy and communication, and practical tips for parents providing financial assistance. 1. Litigation Abuse: […]
When AI Goes Wrong: Lessons from Helmold v Mariya (No 2) [2025]
Generative AI tools are becoming increasingly popular, even in legal contexts. However, as the recent Full Court decision in Helmold v Mariya (No 2) [2025] FedCFamC1A 163 shows, using AI without proper checks can have serious consequences. In this case, a self-represented father appealed parenting orders made in his absence. During the appeal, the Court […]
Franchisors Beware: You May Be Liable for Franchisee Wage Breaches
Recent landmark court ruling sends a clear message to franchisors: you can be held responsible for wage underpayments and record-keeping failures committed by your franchisees. In Bakers Delight Holdings Ltd v Fair Work Ombudsman [2025] FCAFC 144, the Full Court of the Federal Court confirmed that franchisors may inherit liability for breaches of the Fair Work […]
Employers on Notice: Bad Behaviour is Going to Cost
Introduction The landscape of workplace law is undergoing significant change, as amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (‘the Act’) by the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023 and Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No. 2) Act 2024 progressively come into effect. The changes include higher penalties for non-compliance, redefining serious contraventions […]
Tips for preparing for a family law mediation – Part 4 of 5
Mediation is a useful alternative dispute resolution method that can facilitate the parties to a dispute to reach a mutually agreeable solution without contesting the issues before a judge. You may agree to attend private mediation prior to any court proceeding, or you may be ordered by the court to attend mediation when a court […]
Tips on preparing a balance sheet for a family law mediation – Part 3 of 5
Mediation is a useful alternative dispute resolution method that can facilitate the parties to a dispute to reach a mutually agreeable solution without contesting the issues before a judge. You may agree to attend private mediation prior to any court proceeding, or you may be ordered by the court to attend mediation when a court […]
Tips on Preparing a Chronology for Family Law Mediation – Part 2 of 5
Mediation is a useful alternative dispute resolution method that can facilitate the parties to a dispute to reach a mutually agreeable solution without contesting the issues before a judge. You may agree to attend private mediation prior to any court proceeding, or you may be ordered by the court to attend mediation when a court […]