Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

Last week, the Hon Deputy Chief Justice McClelland AO and Janet Carmichael, Executive Director Court Children’s Service, represented the Courts at the Family and Relationships Services Australia Child Inclusive Practice Forum Children at the Centre. Presenting in Canberra to over 175 delegates from across the country, Deputy Chief Justice McClelland gave a keynote address on Children’s Voices. Janet Carmichael presented on the important function of the Child Impact Report, as well as on a panel discussing best practice skills and attributes for working with children in the family and relationships services sector. #fcfcoa #familylaw #auslaw #speakingengagement

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Division 2 judge, Judge Humphreys, was recently invited to address the 2025 intake of law students at the University of Western Sydney.   When speaking with the students he reflected on the advice he would now give to a much younger self as a new law student. Judge Humphreys was thankful for the opportunity to speak with the cohort and wishes them all the best in their studies.   The FCFCOA Parramatta registry is working diligently to engage with the local profession as well as the University of Western Sydney as the local university in Parramatta. #FCFCOA

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is pleased to advise Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus KC MP, today announced the reappointment of the Hon Justice Jacoba Brasch as Chair of the Family Law Council and Judge Alexandra Harland as a council member.   Senior Judicial Registrar Anne-Marie Rice has been appointed as a new member to the Council.   All appointments are for a three-year period.   The Council is established under the Family Law Act 1975, and is an independent body that provides expert advice to the Attorney-General on complex family law issues.   For further information or the view the media release see https://lnkd.in/dXJqtF9U #fcfcoa #mediarelease

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to fill the role of Registrar Support Team Leader, across the Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Parramatta and Sydney registries. The Registrar Support Team Leader role is responsible for the daily oversight and management of local Case Managers, Legal Case Managers and Senior Judicial Registrar Associates, supported by a national management structure. If you possess strong leadership and management skills and thrive in a proactive, fast-paced and collaborative environment, we'd love to hear from you! Legal and/or management qualifications are not essential; we are looking for candidates who are approachable, organised and can communicate effectively with people at all levels. In addition to rewarding work, successful candidates will join a dynamic, collaborative national team and are eligible to receive attractive remuneration packages. For more information on this exciting new position, including how to apply, please click here: https://lnkd.in/gEjb7RnJ #fcfcoa #workwithus #opportunity #auslaw #werehiring

A ceremonial sitting of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) was held in Sydney, 20 February 2025, to welcome the Honourable Justice Dianne Simpson to the Bench. #fcfcoa #auslaw #welcome #ceremonialsitting

On Friday 21 February 2025, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Newcastle registry hosted ‘Walk with Brenda: an inclusive journey into reconciliation in Australia’. The event, organised by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Indigenous Family Liaison Officer team, was attended in person by Newcastle staff and judges, and staff and judges nationally were invited to join the event virtually.    Brenda Matthews is a Wiradjuri woman and the subject of the Netflix documentary 'The Last Daughter'. Through her story telling, Brenda invites people to walk together with a deeper connection and understanding.    It was an opportunity to reflect on what the Courts can do to improve and enhance understanding of the experience and cultural needs of First Nations peoples and families who come before the Courts.    We sincerely thank Brenda for sharing her deeply moving story. #fcfcoa

The Muslim Legal Network NSW hosted the Annual Islamic service Monday, 17 February 2025 to mark the opening of the 2025 Law Term. Six judges and 11 associates from our Parramatta registry attended the service. The Parramatta Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Registry services a vibrant and diverse community with citizens from a wide variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds.   Attending this service was a demonstration of the desire of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia to be part of the wider legal community and our support for those of different religious faiths.   Also attending was the Chief Justice of NSW Hon Andrew Bell, The Chief Magistrate of the Local Court, Judge Michael Allen, judges of the NSW district and Supreme Court and judges of the Federal Court. #fcfcoa

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1 and Division 2) (‘the Courts’) are thrilled to announce the expansion of the successful Court Dog Program with the addition of three new facility dogs to operate in the Sydney, Parramatta and Newcastle registries. The purchase of the dogs has been funded by The Law Society of NSW, and the dogs will be expertly trained and supplied by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. Chief Justice Alstergren AO stated “The investment by The Law Society of New South Wales goes a long way towards helping vulnerable court users in the state. It’s a credit to the Law Society of New South Wales and its members that they’ve decided to fund the three new dogs for our registries in Sydney, Parramatta and Newcastle. We’ve been overwhelmed at the positive reception our Court Dog Program has received in Melbourne and Hobart, so we’re beyond excited to see the impact these new additions will make in New South Wales.” The dogs to be based in the Courts’ Newcastle, Parramatta and Sydney registries will be sworn in and take their 'woof of honour' ready to commence duty early in 2025. 🐾 For more information or to view the media release see: https://lnkd.in/g5v_4nGn #fcfcoa #courtdog

A ceremonial sitting of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia will be held tomorrow, 20 February at 4:30pm AEDT to welcome the Honourable Justice Dianne Simpson to the Bench. Should you wish to view the ceremony you can watch the livestream on the FCFCOA’s YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/eFrkpYHv #fcfcoa #auslaw #welcome #ceremonialsitting

The Pacific Judicial Conference was held in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), New Zealand, from February 9-12, 2025.   Chief Justice Alstegren AO was thrilled to attend and contribute to the robust and collaborative discussions.   The conference was attended by Chief Justices and judges from fifteen Pacific Island nations, and other countries including Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore.   The theme of the conference was ‘Strengthening the Institution of the Judiciary’, with discussions centred on safeguarding judicial independence and upholding the rule of law, as well as exploring the potential benefits and challenges associated with technological advancements and legal pluralism. Additionally, the conference emphasised the importance of building a diverse judiciary, and the intersects between human rights and climate change challenges impacting the region.   #FCFCOA