Family Courts Merger

The proposal to merge the two courts hearing family law matters in was officially commenced in 2019. In 2021 the Australian parliament voted to merge the Federal Circuit Court and the Family Court. We will use this post to develop a timeline for Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners and Family Lawyers as the changes make their way through the Family Law System.

23rd February 2021 – Media Release – Statement from the Family Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court of Australia confirming their role to apply and interpret legislation. At the time the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2020 was awaiting Royal Assent.

1st December 2021 – The Bill was introduced into the Senate and the third reading was agreed to on the 17th February 2021. It was passed by both houses on the 18th February 2021. The link below has full details.

5th December 2019 – Introduced and first read in the House of Representatives. The third reading was on the 1st December 2020. ParlInfo – Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2019 (aph.gov.au)