Family Law Rules 2004

This is a compilation of the Family Law Rules 2004 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 1 March 2018 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Self‑repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents

Chapter 1—Introduction 1

Part 1.1—Preliminary 1

1.01....................... Name of Rules.................................................................... 1

1.02....................... Commencement.................................................................. 1

1.03....................... Rules in Chapter 1 prevail................................................... 1

Part 1.2—Main purpose of Rules 2

1.04....................... Main purpose of Rules....................................................... 2

1.05....................... Pre‑action procedure........................................................... 2

1.06....................... Promoting the main purpose............................................... 2

1.07....................... Achieving the main purpose............................................... 3

1.08....................... Responsibility of parties and lawyers in achieving the main purpose 3

Part 1.3—Court’s powers in all cases 5

1.09....................... Procedural orders in cases of doubt or difficulty................ 5

1.10....................... Court may make orders....................................................... 5

1.11....................... Court may set aside or vary order....................................... 5

1.12....................... Court may dispense with Rules.......................................... 5

1.13....................... Judicial officer hearing application...................................... 6

1.14....................... Shortening or extension of time.......................................... 6

1.15....................... Time for compliance........................................................... 6

Part 1.4—Other preliminary matters 7

1.16....................... Definitions—the dictionary................................................. 7

1.17....................... Notes, examples etc............................................................ 7

1.18....................... Sittings................................................................................ 8

1.19....................... Prohibition on recording..................................................... 8

1.20....................... Publishing lists of cases...................................................... 8

1.21....................... Calculating time.................................................................. 9

1.22....................... Methods of attaching the seal of the Court.......................... 9

Chapter 2—Starting a case 10

Part 2.1—Applications 10

2.01....................... Which application to file................................................... 10

2.02....................... Documents to be filed with applications........................... 11

2.02A.................... Documents filed by electronic communication.................. 14

Part 2.2—Brochures 15

2.03....................... Service of brochures......................................................... 15

Part 2.3—Notification in certain cases 16

Division 2.3.1—Cases involving allegation of abuse or family violence in relation to a child 16

2.04....................... Definition.......................................................................... 16

2.04A.................... Application of Division 2.3.1........................................... 16

2.04D.................... Prescribed form................................................................ 16

2.05....................... Family violence order....................................................... 16

Division 2.3.2—Property settlement or spousal or de facto maintenance cases 18

2.06....................... Notification of proceeds of crime order or forfeiture application (Act ss 79B, 90M and 90VA).............................................................................. 18

2.07....................... Proceeds of crime............................................................. 18

Chapter 3—Divorce 19

Part 3.1—Application for Divorce 20

3.01....................... Fixing of hearing date....................................................... 20

3.02....................... Amendment of an Application for Divorce....................... 20

3.03....................... Discontinuance of an Application for Divorce.................. 20

Part 3.2—Response 21

3.04....................... Response.......................................................................... 21

3.05....................... Objection to jurisdiction.................................................... 21

3.06....................... Response out of time........................................................ 21

3.07....................... Affidavit to reply to information in an Application for Divorce 21

Part 3.3—Attendance at hearing 22

3.08....................... Attendance at hearing........................................................ 22

Part 3.4—Hearing in absence of parties 23

3.09....................... Seeking a hearing in absence of parties............................. 23

3.10....................... Hearing in absence of parties—joint application............... 23

3.11....................... Request not to hear case in parties’ absence...................... 23

Part 3.5—Events affecting divorce order 24

3.12....................... Application for rescission of divorce order....................... 24

3.13....................... Death of party................................................................... 24

Chapter 4—Application for Final Orders 25

Part 4.1—Introduction 26

4.01....................... Contents of Application for Final Orders......................... 26

4.02....................... Filing affidavits................................................................. 26

4.03....................... First court date.................................................................. 26

Part 4.2—Specific applications 28

Division 4.2.1—General 28

4.04....................... General provisions still apply........................................... 28

4.05....................... Application by Attorney‑General for transfer of case....... 28

Division 4.2.2—Cross‑vesting 29

4.06....................... Cross‑vesting matters....................................................... 29

4.07....................... Transfer of case................................................................ 29

Division 4.2.3—Medical procedure 30

4.08....................... Application for medical procedure.................................... 30

4.09....................... Evidence supporting application....................................... 30

4.10....................... Service of application........................................................ 31

4.11....................... Fixing of hearing date....................................................... 31

4.12....................... Procedure on first court date............................................. 31

Division 4.2.4—Spousal or de facto maintenance 32

4.14....................... Procedure on first court date............................................. 32

4.15....................... Evidence to be provided.................................................... 32

Division 4.2.5—Child support and child maintenance 33

4.16....................... Application of Division 4.2.5........................................... 34

4.17....................... Commencing proceedings................................................. 34

4.18....................... Documents to be filed with applications........................... 34

4.19....................... Child support agreements................................................. 35

4.20....................... Time limits for applications under Assessment Act.......... 35

4.23....................... Service of application........................................................ 35

4.24....................... Service by Child Support Registrar.................................. 36

4.25....................... Procedure on first court date............................................. 36

4.26....................... Evidence to be provided.................................................... 36

Division 4.2.6—Nullity and validity of marriage and divorce 37

4.27....................... Application of Division 4.2.6........................................... 37

4.28....................... Fixing hearing date........................................................... 37

4.29....................... Affidavit to be filed with application................................. 37

Division 4.2.7—Applications relating to passports 38

4.30....................... Application relating to passport........................................ 38

4.31....................... Fixing hearing date........................................................... 38

Division 4.2.8—Children born under surrogacy arrangements 39

4.32....................... Application of Division 4.2.8........................................... 39

4.33....................... Evidence supporting application—general........................ 39

4.34....................... Evidence from applicant and surrogate mother................. 39

4.35....................... Evidence about child’s identity......................................... 40

4.36....................... Evidence about relevant law in child’s birth country......... 40

4.37....................... Procedure on first hearing date......................................... 40

Chapter 5—Applications for interim, procedural, ancillary or other incidental orders 42

Part 5.1—General 42

5.01....................... Restrictions in relation to applications............................... 42

5.01A.................... Filing of applications seeking parenting orders during the Christmas school holiday period.......................................................................................... 43

5.02....................... Evidence in applications to which Chapter 5 applies......... 43

5.03....................... Procedure before filing..................................................... 43

5.05....................... Fixing a date for hearing or case assessment conference.. 44

5.06....................... Attendance by electronic communication.......................... 44

5.07....................... Attendance of party or witness in prison.......................... 45

Part 5.2—Hearing—interim and procedural applications 47

5.08....................... Interim orders—matters to be considered......................... 47

5.09....................... Affidavits.......................................................................... 47

5.10....................... Hearing time of interim or procedural application............. 47

5.11....................... Party’s failure to attend..................................................... 47

Part 5.3—Application without notice 48

5.12....................... Application without notice................................................ 48

5.13....................... Necessary procedural orders............................................. 48

Part 5.4—Hearing on papers in absence of parties 49

5.14....................... Request for hearing in absence of parties.......................... 49

5.15....................... Objection to hearing in absence of parties......................... 49

5.16....................... Court decision to not proceed in absence of parties.......... 49

5.17....................... Procedure in hearing in absence of parties........................ 49

Part 5.5—Postponement of interim hearing 50

5.18....................... Administrative postponement of interim hearing.............. 50

Part 5.6—Application for certain orders 51

5.19....................... Application for suppression or non‑publication order...... 51

Chapter 6—Parties 52

Part 6.1—General 52

6.01....................... Parties............................................................................... 52

6.02....................... Necessary parties.............................................................. 52

Part 6.2—Adding and removing a party 53

6.03....................... Adding a party.................................................................. 53

6.04....................... Removing a party.............................................................. 53

6.05....................... Intervention by a person seeking to become a party.......... 53

6.06....................... Intervention by a person entitled to intervene.................... 53

6.07....................... Notice of constitutional matter.......................................... 54

Part 6.3—Case guardian 55

6.08A.................... Interpretation..................................................................... 55

6.08....................... Conducting a case by case guardian.................................. 55

6.09....................... Who may be a case guardian............................................. 55

6.10....................... Appointment, replacement or removal of case guardian.... 55

6.11....................... Attorney‑General may nominate case guardian................. 56

6.12....................... Notice of becoming case guardian.................................... 56

6.13....................... Conduct of case by case guardian..................................... 56

6.14....................... Costs of case guardian...................................................... 56

Part 6.4—Progress of case after death 57

6.15....................... Death of party................................................................... 57

Part 6.5—Progress of a case after bankruptcy or personal insolvency agreement 58

6.16....................... Interpretation..................................................................... 58

6.17....................... Notice of bankruptcy or personal insolvency agreement... 58

6.18....................... Notice under paragraph 6.17(1)(b)................................... 59

6.19....................... Notice under paragraph 6.17(1)(c).................................... 59

6.20....................... Notice of bankruptcy proceedings.................................... 59

6.21....................... Notice of application under section 139A of the Bankruptcy Act 59

6.22....................... Official name of trustee..................................................... 60

Chapter 7—Service 61

Part 7.1—General 61

7.01A.................... Application....................................................................... 61

7.01....................... Service.............................................................................. 61

7.02....................... Court’s discretion regarding service................................. 61

7.03....................... Service of documents........................................................ 62

7.04....................... Service of filed documents................................................ 62

Part 7.2—Special service 64

7.05....................... Special service.................................................................. 64

7.06....................... Special service by hand..................................................... 64

7.07....................... Special service by post or electronic communication........ 64

7.08....................... Special service through a lawyer....................................... 65

7.09....................... Special service on person with a disability........................ 65

7.10....................... Special service on a prisoner............................................. 65

7.11....................... Special service on a corporation........................................ 65

Part 7.3—Ordinary service 66

7.12....................... Ordinary service............................................................... 66

Part 7.4—Proof of service 67

7.13....................... Proof of service................................................................ 67

7.14....................... Proof of special service..................................................... 67

7.15....................... Evidence of identity.......................................................... 67

Part 7.5—Other matters about service 68

7.16....................... Service by electronic communication................................ 68

7.17....................... When service is taken to have been carried out................. 68

7.18....................... Service with conditions or dispensing with service.......... 68

Part 7.6—Service in non‑convention country 70

7.19....................... Service in non‑convention country................................... 70

7.20....................... Proof of service in non‑convention country...................... 70

Chapter 8—Right to be heard, address for service and submitting notices 71

Part 8.1—Right to be heard and representation 71

8.01....................... Right to be heard and representation................................. 71

8.02....................... Independent children’s lawyer.......................................... 71

8.03....................... Lawyer—conflicting interests........................................... 72

8.04....................... Lawyer—ceasing to act..................................................... 72

Part 8.2—Address for service 73

8.05....................... Address for service........................................................... 73

8.06....................... Change of address for service........................................... 73

Part 8.3—Submitting notices 74

8.07....................... Submitting notices............................................................ 74

Chapter 9—Response and reply 75

Part 9.1—Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law) 75

9.01....................... Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law)......... 75

9.02....................... Filing an affidavit with Response to Initiating Application (Family Law) 76

9.03....................... Response objecting to jurisdiction.................................... 76

Part 9.2—Reply to Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law) 77

9.04....................... Applicant reply to Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law) (Reply) 77

9.04A.................... Additional party reply to Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law), (Reply).......................................................................................... 77

Part 9.3—Response to Application in a Case 78

9.05....................... Response to Application in a Case.................................... 78

9.06....................... Affidavit to be filed with Response to an Application in a Case 78

9.07....................... Affidavit in reply to Response to an Application in a Case 78

Part 9.4—Filing and service 79

9.08....................... Time for filing and service of response or reply............... 79

Chapter 10—Ending a case without a trial 80

Part 10.1—Offers to settle 80

Division 10.1.1—General 80

10.01..................... How to make an offer....................................................... 80

10.02..................... Open and ‘without prejudice’ offer................................... 81

10.03..................... How to withdraw an offer................................................ 81

10.04..................... How to accept an offer...................................................... 81

10.05..................... Counter‑offer.................................................................... 82

Division 10.1.2—Offer to settle—property cases 83

10.06..................... Compulsory offer to settle................................................ 83

10.07..................... Withdrawal of offer.......................................................... 83

Part 10.2—Discontinuing a case 84

10.10..................... Definition.......................................................................... 84

10.11..................... Discontinuing a case......................................................... 84

Part 10.3—Summary orders and separate decisions 85

10.12..................... Application for summary orders....................................... 85

10.13..................... Application for separate decision...................................... 85

10.14..................... What the court may order under this Part.......................... 85

Part 10.4—Consent orders 86

10.15..................... How to apply for a consent order..................................... 86

10.15A.................. Consent parenting orders and allegations of abuse or family violence 87

10.16..................... Notice to superannuation trustee....................................... 88

10.17..................... Dealing with a consent order............................................ 88

10.18..................... Lapsing of respondent’s consent...................................... 89

Chapter 11—Case management 90

Part 11.1—Court’s powers of case management 90

11.01..................... General powers................................................................. 90

11.02..................... Failure to comply with a legislative provision or order..... 91

11.03..................... Relief from orders............................................................. 92

11.04..................... Certificate of vexatious proceedings order........................ 92

11.05..................... Application for leave to institute proceedings after vexatious proceedings order made.......................................................................................... 92

11.06..................... Dismissal for want of prosecution.................................... 93

Part 11.2—Limiting issues 94

Division 11.2.1—Admissions 94

11.07..................... Request to admit............................................................... 94

11.08..................... Notice disputing fact or document.................................... 94

11.09..................... Withdrawing admission.................................................... 95

Division 11.2.2—Amendment 96

11.10..................... Amendment by a party or court order............................... 96

11.11..................... Time limit for amendment................................................. 96

11.12..................... Amending a document...................................................... 96

11.13..................... Response to amended document....................................... 97

11.14..................... Disallowance of amendment............................................. 97

Part 11.3—Venue 98

Division 11.3.1—Open court and chambers 98

11.16..................... Venue for proceedings...................................................... 98

Division 11.3.2—Transferring a case 99

11.17..................... Transfer to another court or registry................................. 99

11.18..................... Factors to be considered for transfer................................. 99

Division 11.3.3—Transfer of court file 100

11.20..................... Transfer between courts.................................................. 100

Chapter 12—Court events—Registrar managed 101

Part 12.1—Application of Chapter 12 101

12.01..................... Application of Chapter 12............................................... 101

Part 12.2—Specific court events 102

12.02..................... Property case—exchange of documents before first court date 102

12.03..................... Case assessment conference........................................... 103

12.04..................... Initial procedural hearing in a parenting case.................. 103

12.05..................... Property case—exchange of documents before conciliation conference 104

12.06..................... Financial questionnaire and balance sheet....................... 104

12.07..................... Conduct of a conciliation conference.............................. 105

12.08..................... Procedural hearing in a financial case............................. 105

12.09..................... Procedural hearing after the Child Responsive Program. 105

12.10..................... Procedural hearing where the application includes both a financial case and a parenting case........................................................................................ 106

12.10A.................. Expedition....................................................................... 106

Part 12.4—Attendance at court events 108

12.11..................... Party’s attendance........................................................... 108

12.12..................... Attendance by electronic communication........................ 108

12.13..................... Failure to attend court events.......................................... 108

Part 12.5—Adjournment and postponement of court events 109

12.14..................... Administrative postponement of conferences or procedural hearings 109

Chapter 13—Disclosure 110

Part 13.1—Disclosure between parties 111

Division 13.1.1—General duty of disclosure 111

13.01..................... General duty of disclosure.............................................. 111

Division 13.1.2—Duty of disclosure—financial cases 112

13.02..................... Purpose of Division 13.1.2............................................. 112

13.03..................... Definition........................................................................ 112

13.04..................... Full and frank disclosure................................................ 112

13.05..................... Financial statement.......................................................... 113

13.06..................... Amendment of Financial Statement................................ 113

Part 13.2—Duty of disclosure—documents 114

Division 13.2.1—Disclosure of documents—all cases 114

13.07..................... Duty of disclosure—documents..................................... 114

13.07A.................. Use of documents........................................................... 114

13.08..................... Inspection of documents................................................. 114

13.09..................... Production of original documents................................... 114

13.10..................... Disclosure by inspection of documents.......................... 115

13.11..................... Costs for inspection........................................................ 115

13.12..................... Documents that need not be produced............................ 115

13.13..................... Objection to production.................................................. 115

13.14..................... Consequence of non‑disclosure...................................... 115

13.15..................... Undertaking by party...................................................... 116

13.16..................... Time for filing undertaking............................................. 117

Division 13.2.2—Disclosure of documents—certain applications 118

13.17..................... Application of Division 13.2.2....................................... 118

13.18..................... Party may seek order about disclosure............................ 118

Division 13.2.3—Disclosure of documents—Initiating Applications (Family Law) 119

13.19..................... Application of Division 13.2.3....................................... 119

13.20..................... Disclosure by service of a list of documents................... 119

13.21..................... Disclosure by inspection of documents.......................... 120

13.22..................... Application for order for disclosure................................ 120

13.23..................... Costs of compliance........................................................ 121

13.24..................... Electronic disclosure....................................................... 121

Part 13.3—Answers to specific questions 122

13.25..................... Application of Part 13.3.................................................. 122

13.26..................... Service of specific questions........................................... 122

13.27..................... Answering specific questions......................................... 122

13.28..................... Orders in relation to specific questions........................... 123

Part 13.4—Information from non‑parties 124

Division 13.4.1—Employment information 124

13.29..................... Purpose of Division 13.4.1............................................. 124

13.30..................... Employment information................................................ 124

Chapter 14—Property orders 125

14.01..................... Orders about property..................................................... 125

14.02..................... Service of application...................................................... 125

14.03..................... Inspection....................................................................... 126

14.04..................... Application for Anton Piller order.................................. 126

14.05..................... Application for Mareva order......................................... 127

14.06..................... Notice to superannuation trustee..................................... 127

14.07..................... Notice about intervention under Part VIII or VIIIAB of Act 128

Chapter 15—Evidence 129

15.01..................... Definition........................................................................ 129

Part 15.1—Children 129

15.02..................... Restriction on child’s evidence....................................... 129

15.04..................... Family reports................................................................. 130

Part 15.2—Affidavits 131

15.05..................... No general right to file affidavits.................................... 131

15.06..................... Reliance on affidavits...................................................... 131

15.08..................... Requirements for affidavits............................................. 131

15.09..................... Making an affidavit......................................................... 132

15.10..................... Affidavit of illiterate or blind person etc......................... 132

15.13..................... Striking out objectionable material.................................. 132

15.14..................... Notice to attend for cross‑examination............................ 132

15.15..................... Deponent’s attendance and expenses.............................. 133

Part 15.3—Subpoenas 134

Division 15.3.1—General 134

15.16..................... Interpretation................................................................... 134

15.17..................... Issuing a subpoena......................................................... 134

15.18..................... Subpoena not to issue in certain circumstances............... 135

15.20..................... Amendment of subpoena................................................ 135

15.21..................... Subpoenas to produce documents................................... 135

15.22..................... Service............................................................................ 135

15.23..................... Conduct money and witness fees.................................... 136

15.24..................... When compliance is not required.................................... 137

15.25..................... Discharge of subpoena obligation................................... 137

15.26..................... Objection to subpoena.................................................... 137

Division 15.3.2—Production of documents and access by parties 138

15.27..................... Application of Division 15.3.2....................................... 138

15.29..................... Compliance with subpoena............................................. 138

15.30..................... Right to inspect and copy documents.............................. 138

15.31..................... Objections relating to production of documents.............. 139

15.32..................... Court permission to inspect documents.......................... 140

15.34..................... Production of document from another court................... 140

15.35..................... Return of documents produced....................................... 141

Division 15.3.3—Non‑compliance with subpoena 142

15.36..................... Non‑compliance with subpoena...................................... 142

Part 15.4—Assessors 143

15.37..................... Application of Part 15.4.................................................. 143

15.38..................... Appointing an assessor................................................... 143

15.39..................... Assessor’s report............................................................ 143

15.40..................... Remuneration of assessor............................................... 143

Part 15.5—Expert evidence 145

Division 15.5.1—General 145

15.41..................... Application of Part 15.5.................................................. 145

15.42..................... Purpose of Part 15.5....................................................... 145

15.43..................... Definition........................................................................ 146

Division 15.5.2—Single expert witness 147

15.44..................... Appointment of single expert witness by parties............ 147

15.45..................... Order for single expert witness....................................... 147

15.46..................... Orders the court may make............................................. 147

15.47..................... Single expert witness’s fees and expenses...................... 148

15.48..................... Single expert witness’s report......................................... 148

15.49..................... Appointing another expert witness................................. 148

15.50..................... Cross‑examination of single expert witness.................... 149

Division 15.5.3—Permission for expert’s evidence 150

15.51..................... Permission for expert’s reports and evidence................. 150

15.52..................... Application for permission for expert witness................ 150

Division 15.5.4—Instructions and disclosure of expert’s report 152

15.53..................... Application of Division 15.5.4....................................... 152

15.54..................... Instructions to expert witness......................................... 152

15.55..................... Mandatory disclosure of expert’s report......................... 152

15.56..................... Provision of information about fees................................ 153

15.57..................... Application for provision of information........................ 153

15.58..................... Failure to disclose report................................................. 153

Division 15.5.5—Expert witness’s duties and rights 154

15.59..................... Expert witness’s duty to the court................................... 154

15.60..................... Expert witness’s right to seek orders.............................. 154

15.61..................... Expert witness’s evidence in chief.................................. 155

15.62..................... Form of expert’s report................................................... 155

15.63..................... Contents of expert’s report............................................. 156

15.64..................... Consequences of non‑compliance................................... 156

Division 15.5.6—Clarification of single expert witness reports 158

15.64A.................. Purpose........................................................................... 158

15.64B................... Conference...................................................................... 158

15.65..................... Questions to single expert witness.................................. 158

15.66..................... Single expert witness’s answers..................................... 159

15.67..................... Single expert witness’s costs.......................................... 159

15.67A.................. Application for directions............................................... 160

Division 15.5.7—Evidence from 2 or more expert witnesses 161

15.68..................... Application of Division 15.5.7....................................... 161

15.69..................... Conference of expert witnesses...................................... 161

15.70..................... Conduct of trial with expert witnesses............................ 162

Part 15.6—Other matters about evidence 163

15.71..................... Court may call evidence.................................................. 163

15.72..................... Order for examination of witness................................... 163

15.73..................... Letters of request............................................................ 163

15.74..................... Hearsay evidence—notice under section 67 of the Evidence Act 1995 164

15.75..................... Transcript receivable in evidence.................................... 164

15.76..................... Notice to produce............................................................ 164

15.77..................... Parenting questionnaire................................................... 164

Chapter 16—Court events—Judge managed 165

Part 16.1—Preliminary 165

16.01..................... Application..................................................................... 165

16.02..................... Compliance check........................................................... 165

16.03..................... Vacating dates that are Judge managed........................... 165

Part 16.2—Proceedings before the Judge—general 167

16.04..................... Trial management............................................................ 167

16.05..................... Attendance, submissions and evidence by electronic communication 167

16.06..................... Foreign evidence by electronic communication............... 169

16.07..................... Parties’ participation....................................................... 170

Part 16.3—Proceedings before the Judge—parenting and financial cases 171

16.08..................... Trial management hearing............................................... 171

16.09..................... Further days before the Judge......................................... 171

16.10..................... The trial........................................................................... 171

Chapter 16A—Division 12A of Part VII of the Act 172

Part 16A.1—Consent for Division 12A of Part VII of the Act to apply to a case 172

16A.01.................. Definition........................................................................ 172

16A.02.................. Application of Part 16A.1............................................... 172

16A.03.................. Consent for Division 12A of Part VII of the Act to apply 172

16A.04.................. Application for Division 12A of Part VII of the Act to apply for case commenced by application before 1 July 2006........................................ 173

Part 16A.2—Trials of certain cases to which Division 12A of Part VII of the Act applies 174

16A.05.................. Definitions...................................................................... 174

16A.06.................. Application..................................................................... 174

16A.10.................. Parties to be sworn etc.................................................... 174

Chapter 17—Orders and undertakings 175

Part 17.1—Orders 175

17.01..................... When an order is made................................................... 175

17.01A.................. When must an order be entered....................................... 175

17.01B................... Entry of orders................................................................ 176

17.02..................... Varying or setting aside orders....................................... 176

17.02A.................. Varying or setting aside reasons for judgment................ 176

17.03..................... Rate of interest................................................................ 176

17.04..................... Order for payment of money.......................................... 177

17.05..................... Order for payment of fine............................................... 177

Part 17.2—Undertakings 178

17.06..................... Undertakings.................................................................. 178

Chapter 18—Powers of Judicial Registrars, Registrars and Deputy Registrars 179

Part 18.1—Delegation of powers to Judicial Registrars and Registrars 179

Division 18.1.1—General 179

18.01A.................. Definitions...................................................................... 179

18.01..................... Exercise of powers and functions................................... 179

Division 18.1.2—Delegation to Judicial Registrars 180

18.02..................... Delegation of powers to Judicial Registrars.................... 180

18.03..................... Property value exceeding limit—power to determine case 181

Division 18.1.3—Delegation of powers to Registrars and Deputy Registrars 182

18.04..................... Application of Division 18.1.3....................................... 182

18.05..................... Registrars........................................................................ 182

18.06..................... Deputy Registrars........................................................... 183

Part 18.2—Review of decisions 187

18.07..................... Application of Part 18.2.................................................. 187

18.08..................... Review of order or decision............................................ 187

18.09..................... Stay................................................................................. 188

18.10..................... Power of court on review............................................... 188

Chapter 19—Party/party costs 189

Part 19.1—General 189

19.01..................... Application of Chapter 19............................................... 189

19.02..................... Interest on outstanding costs........................................... 189

Part 19.2—Obligations of a lawyer about costs 190

19.03..................... Duty to inform about costs............................................. 190

19.04..................... Notification of costs........................................................ 190

Part 19.3—Security for costs 192

19.05..................... Application for security for costs.................................... 192

19.06..................... Order for security for costs............................................. 192

19.07..................... Finalising security........................................................... 192

Part 19.4—Costs orders 194

19.08..................... Order for costs................................................................ 194

19.09..................... Costs order for cases in other courts............................... 194

19.10..................... Costs orders against lawyers.......................................... 194

19.11..................... Notice of costs order....................................................... 195

Part 19.5—Calculation of costs 196

19.18..................... Method of calculation of costs........................................ 196

19.19..................... Maximum amount of party/party costs recoverable........ 196

Part 19.6—Claiming and disputing costs 197

Division 19.6.1—Itemised costs account 197

19.20..................... Request for itemised costs account................................. 197

19.21..................... Service of lawyer’s itemised costs account..................... 197

19.22..................... Lawyer’s itemised costs account..................................... 197

19.23..................... Disputing itemised costs account.................................... 198

19.24..................... Assessment of disputed costs......................................... 198

19.25..................... Amendment of itemised costs account and Notice Disputing Itemised Costs Account........................................................................................ 198

Division 19.6.2—Assessment process 199

19.26..................... Fixing date for first court event....................................... 199

19.27..................... Notification of hearing.................................................... 199

19.28..................... Settlement conference..................................................... 199

19.29..................... Preliminary assessment................................................... 199

19.30..................... Objection to preliminary assessment amount.................. 199

19.31..................... If no objection to preliminary assessment....................... 200

19.32..................... Assessment hearing........................................................ 200

19.33..................... Powers of Registrars...................................................... 201

19.34..................... Assessment principles.................................................... 201

19.35..................... Allowance for matters not specified................................ 202

19.36..................... Neglect or delay before Registrar.................................... 202

19.37..................... Costs assessment order—costs account not disputed..... 202

19.38..................... Setting aside a costs assessment order............................ 203

Part 19.7—Specific costs matters 204

19.40..................... Costs in court of summary jurisdiction........................... 204

19.41..................... Charge for each page...................................................... 204

19.42..................... Proportion of costs......................................................... 204

19.43..................... Costs for reading............................................................ 204

19.44..................... Postage within Australia................................................. 204

19.45..................... Waiting and travelling time............................................. 204

19.46..................... Agent’s fees.................................................................... 205

19.49..................... Costs of cases not started together.................................. 205

19.50..................... Certificate as to counsel.................................................. 205

19.51..................... Lawyer as counsel—party and party costs...................... 205

19.52..................... Lawyer as counsel—assessment of fees......................... 206

Part 19.8—Review of assessment 207

19.54..................... Application for review.................................................... 207

19.55..................... Time for filing an application for review......................... 207

19.56..................... Hearing of application..................................................... 207

Chapter 20—Enforcement of financial orders and obligations 208

Part 20.1—General 208

20.01..................... Enforceable obligations................................................... 208

20.02..................... When an agreement may be enforced.............................. 209

20.03..................... When a child support liability may be enforced.............. 209

20.04..................... Who may enforce an obligation...................................... 210

20.05..................... Enforcing an obligation to pay money............................ 210

20.06..................... Affidavit to be filed for enforcement order..................... 210

20.07..................... General enforcement powers of court............................. 211

20.08..................... Enforcement order.......................................................... 211

20.09..................... Discharging, suspending or varying enforcement order. 212

Part 20.2—Information for aiding enforcement 213

Division 20.2.1—Processes for aiding enforcement 213

20.10..................... Processes for obtaining financial information................. 213

Division 20.2.2—Enforcement hearings 214

20.11..................... Enforcement hearing....................................................... 214

20.12..................... Obligations of payer....................................................... 214

20.13..................... Subpoena of witness....................................................... 214

20.14..................... Failure concerning Financial Statement or enforcement hearing 215

Part 20.3—Enforcement warrants 216

Division 20.3.1—General 216

20.15..................... Definitions...................................................................... 216

20.16..................... Request for Enforcement Warrant................................... 216

20.17..................... Period during which Enforcement Warrant is in force.... 217

20.18..................... Enforcement officer’s responsibilities............................. 217

20.19..................... Directions for enforcement............................................. 218

20.20..................... Effect of Enforcement Warrant....................................... 218

20.21..................... Advertising before sale................................................... 218

20.21A.................. Sale of property at reasonable price................................ 219

20.21B................... Conditions of sale of property........................................ 219

20.22..................... Result of sale of property under Enforcement Warrant... 220

20.23..................... Payee’s responsibilities................................................... 220

20.24..................... Orders for real property.................................................. 221

Division 20.3.2—Claims by person affected by an Enforcement Warrant 222

20.25..................... Notice of claim................................................................ 222

20.26..................... Payee to admit or dispute claim....................................... 222

20.27..................... Admitting claim.............................................................. 222

20.28..................... Denial or no response to claim........................................ 222

20.29..................... Hearing of application..................................................... 223

Part 20.4—Third Party Debt Notice 224

20.30..................... Application of Part 20.4.................................................. 224

20.31..................... Money deposited in a financial institution....................... 224

20.32..................... Request for Third Party Debt Notice.............................. 224

20.33..................... Service of Third Party Debt Notice................................. 225

20.34..................... Effect of Third Party Debt Notice—general.................... 225

20.35..................... Employer’s obligations................................................... 225

20.36..................... Duration of Third Party Debt Notice.............................. 225

20.37..................... Response to Third Party Debt Notice............................. 226

20.38..................... Discharge of Third Party Debt Notice............................ 226

20.39..................... Claim by affected person................................................ 226

20.40..................... Cessation of employment................................................ 226

20.41..................... Compliance with Third Party Debt Notice...................... 227

Part 20.5—Sequestration of property 228

20.42..................... Application for sequestration of property....................... 228

20.43..................... Order for sequestration................................................... 228

20.44..................... Order relating to sequestration........................................ 229

20.45..................... Procedural orders for sequestration................................ 229

Part 20.6—Receivership 230

20.46..................... Application for appointment of receiver.......................... 230

20.47..................... Appointment and powers of receiver.............................. 230

20.48..................... Security........................................................................... 230

20.49..................... Accounts......................................................................... 231

20.50..................... Objection to accounts...................................................... 231

20.51..................... Removal of receiver........................................................ 231

20.52..................... Compliance with orders and Rules................................. 231

Part 20.7—Enforcement of obligations other than an obligation to pay money 232

20.53..................... Application for other enforcement orders....................... 232

20.54..................... Warrant for possession of real property.......................... 232

20.55..................... Warrant for delivery........................................................ 232

20.56..................... Warrant for seizure and detention of property................. 232

Part 20.8—Other provisions about enforcement 234

20.57..................... Service of order.............................................................. 234

20.58..................... Certificate for payments under maintenance order.......... 234

20.59..................... Enforcement by or against a non‑party........................... 234

20.60..................... Powers of enforcement officer........................................ 234

Chapter 21—Enforcement of parenting orders, contravention of orders and contempt 235

Part 21.1—Applications for enforcement of orders, contravention of orders and contempt of court 236

21.01..................... Application of Part 21.1.................................................. 236

21.02..................... How to apply for an order.............................................. 236

21.03..................... Application made or continued by Marshal.................... 238

21.04..................... Contempt in the court room............................................ 238

21.05..................... Fixing of hearing date..................................................... 238

21.06..................... Response to an application.............................................. 238

21.07..................... Failure of respondent to attend........................................ 238

21.08..................... Procedure at hearing....................................................... 238

Part 21.2—Parenting orders—compliance 240

21.09..................... Duties of program provider............................................ 240

21.10..................... Relisting for hearing....................................................... 240

Part 21.3—Location and recovery orders 241

21.11..................... Application of Part 21.3.................................................. 241

21.12..................... Application for order under Part 21.3............................. 241

21.13..................... Fixing of hearing date..................................................... 241

21.14..................... Service of recovery order................................................ 241

21.15..................... Application for directions for execution of recovery order 241

Part 21.4—Warrants for arrest 243

21.16..................... Application for warrant................................................... 243

21.17..................... Execution of warrant....................................................... 243

21.18..................... Duration of warrant........................................................ 243

21.19..................... Procedure after arrest...................................................... 243

21.20..................... Application for release or setting aside warrant.............. 244

Chapter 22—Appeals 245

Part 22.1—Introduction 245

22.01..................... Application of Chapter 22............................................... 245

Part 22.2—Starting an appeal 246

22.02..................... Starting an appeal............................................................ 246

22.03..................... Time for appeal............................................................... 246

22.04..................... Parties to an appeal......................................................... 246

22.05..................... Service............................................................................ 247

22.06..................... Notice about appeal to other courts................................. 247

22.07..................... Cross‑appeal................................................................... 247

22.08..................... Time for cross‑appeal..................................................... 247

22.08A.................. Notice of contention........................................................ 247

22.09..................... Amendment of Notice of Appeal.................................... 248

22.10..................... Documents filed in a current appeal................................ 248

22.11..................... Stay................................................................................. 248

22.12..................... Application for leave to appeal........................................ 248

22.13..................... Filing draft index to appeal books................................... 249

Part 22.3—Appeal to Full Court 250

22.14..................... Application of Part 22.3.................................................. 250

22.15..................... Procedural hearing.......................................................... 250

22.16..................... Attendance at first procedural hearing............................. 250

22.17..................... Orders to be made at procedural hearing......................... 251

22.18..................... Preparation of appeal books............................................ 251

22.19..................... Contents of appeal books................................................ 252

22.20..................... Form of appeal books..................................................... 252

22.21..................... Failure to file appeal books by due date.......................... 253

22.22..................... Summary of argument and list of authorities.................. 253

Part 22.4—Appeal from Federal Circuit Court or a Family Law Magistrate of Western Australia heard by single Judge 254

22.23..................... Application of Part 22.4.................................................. 254

22.24..................... Procedural hearing.......................................................... 254

22.25..................... Attendance at procedural hearing.................................... 254

22.26..................... Procedural orders for conduct of appeal......................... 254

22.27..................... Documents for appeal hearing if appeal book not required 255

Part 22.5—Appeal from court of summary jurisdiction other than a Family Law Magistrate of Western Australia 256

22.28..................... Application of Part 22.5.................................................. 256

22.29..................... Fixing of hearing date..................................................... 256

Part 22.6—Powers of appeal courts and conduct of appeal 257

22.30..................... Non‑attendance by party................................................. 257

22.31..................... Attendance by electronic communication........................ 257

22.32..................... Attendance of party in prison.......................................... 258

22.34..................... Subpoenas...................................................................... 258

Part 22.7—Applications in relation to appeals 259

Division 22.7.1—How to make an application 259

22.35..................... Application of Part 22.7.................................................. 259

22.36..................... Application in relation to appeal...................................... 259

22.37..................... Hearing date for application............................................ 259

22.38..................... Decision without an oral hearing.................................... 259

Division 22.7.2—Specific applications relating to appeals 261

22.39..................... Further evidence on appeal............................................. 261

22.40..................... Review of Regional Appeal Registrar’s order................ 261

Part 22.8—Concluding an appeal, an application for leave to appeal or an application in relation to an appeal 262

22.41..................... Consent orders on appeal................................................ 262

22.42..................... Discontinuance of appeal or application.......................... 262

22.43..................... Abandoning an appeal.................................................... 262

22.44..................... Application for reinstatement of appeal........................... 262

22.45..................... Dismissal of appeal and applications for non‑compliance or delay 262

Part 22.9—Case stated 264

22.46..................... Application of Part 22.9.................................................. 264

22.47..................... Case stated...................................................................... 264

22.48..................... Objection to draft case stated.......................................... 264

22.49..................... Settlement and signing.................................................... 264

22.50..................... Filing of copies of case stated......................................... 265

22.51..................... Fixing of hearing date..................................................... 265

22.52..................... Summary of argument and list of authorities.................. 265

Part 22.10—Costs orders 266

22.53..................... Order for costs................................................................ 266

Chapter 23—Registration of documents 267

Part 23.1—Registration of agreements, orders and child support debts 267

23.01..................... Registration of agreements.............................................. 267

23.01A.................. Registration of State child orders under section 70C or 70D of the Act 267

23.01B................... Registration of de facto maintenance orders under section 90SI of the Act 268

23.02..................... Registration of debt due to the Commonwealth under child support legislation 268

Part 23.2—Parenting plans 269

23.03..................... Requirements for registration of an agreement revoking a registered parenting plan........................................................................................ 269

23.04..................... Court may require service or additional information....... 269

23.05..................... Application may be dealt with in chambers..................... 269

Chapter 24—Documents, filing, registry 270

Part 24.1—Requirements for documents 270

24.01..................... General requirements...................................................... 270

24.02..................... Corporation as a party..................................................... 271

24.03..................... Change of name of party................................................. 271

24.04..................... Forms............................................................................. 271

Part 24.2—Filing documents 272

24.05..................... How a document is filed................................................. 272

24.06..................... Filing a document by facsimile....................................... 272

24.07..................... Filing by e‑mail and Internet........................................... 273

24.09..................... Documents filed during a case........................................ 274

24.10..................... Rejection of documents................................................... 274

24.11..................... Filing a notice of payment into court............................... 275

Part 24.3—Registry records 276

24.12..................... Removal of document from registry............................... 276

24.13..................... Searching court record and copying documents.............. 276

24.14..................... Exhibits........................................................................... 277

Chapter 25—Applications under the Corporations Act 2001 and the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 278

25.01..................... Application of Chapter 25............................................... 278

25.02..................... Application of Corporations Rules................................. 278

25.03..................... Modification of Corporations Rules............................... 278

25.04..................... Application under Corporations Act 2001 or Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.......................................................... 279

25.05..................... Transfer of cases under Corporations Act 2001 or Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006................................................ 279

25.06..................... Fixing a date for hearing................................................. 279

Chapter 26—Cases to which the Bankruptcy Act 1966 applies 280

Part 26.1—Introduction 280

26.01..................... Application of Chapter 26............................................... 280

26.02..................... Expressions used in the Bankruptcy Act........................ 280

Part 26.2—General 281

26.04..................... Bankruptcy Application and Bankruptcy Application in a Case 281

26.05..................... Leave to be heard............................................................ 281

26.06..................... Appearance at application or examination....................... 282

26.07..................... Opposition to Bankruptcy Application or a Bankruptcy Application in a Case 282

Part 26.3—Examinations 283

Division 26.3.1—Interpretation 283

26.08..................... Definition for Part 26.3................................................... 283

Division 26.3.2—Examination of relevant person 284

26.09..................... Application for summons (Bankruptcy Act s 81)........... 284

26.10..................... Hearing of application..................................................... 284

26.11..................... Requirements of summons............................................. 284

26.12..................... Service of summons....................................................... 284

26.13..................... Failure to attend examination.......................................... 284

26.14..................... Application for discharge of summons........................... 285

Division 26.3.3—Examination of examinable person 286

26.15..................... Application for summons (Bankruptcy Act s 81)........... 286

26.16..................... Hearing of application..................................................... 286

26.17..................... Requirements of summons............................................. 287

26.18..................... Service of summons....................................................... 287

26.19..................... Application for discharge of summons........................... 287

26.20..................... Conduct money and witnesses expenses........................ 287

Part 26.4—Annulment of bankruptcy 289

26.21..................... Application of Part 26.4.................................................. 289

26.22..................... Requirements of application............................................ 289

26.23..................... Notice to creditors........................................................... 289

26.24..................... Procedural hearing—report by trustee............................ 289

26.25..................... Service of annulment order............................................. 290

Part 26.5—Trustees 291

26.26..................... Applications in relation to the appointment of a trustee... 291

26.27..................... Resignation or release of trustee (Bankruptcy Act ss 180 and 183) 291

Part 26.6—Warrants 292

26.28..................... Arrest of bankrupt(Bankruptcy Act s 78)....................... 292

26.29..................... Apprehension of person failing to attend Court (Bankruptcy Act s 264B(1)) 292

Part 26.7—Costs 293

26.30..................... Order for costs................................................................ 293

26.31..................... Application of Part 40 of Federal Court Rules 2011...... 293

Chapter 26A—Cases to which the Trans‑Tasman Proceedings Act 2010 applies 294

26A.01.................. Application of Division 34.4 of the Federal Court Rules 2011 294

26A.02.................. Modification of the Federal Court Rules 2011............... 294

26A.03.................. Service of subpoena........................................................ 295

Chapter 26B—Arbitration 296

Part 26B.1—Disclosure relating to arbitration 296

26B.01................... General duty of disclosure.............................................. 296

26B.02................... Duty of disclosure—documents..................................... 297

26B.03................... Use of documents........................................................... 297

26B.04................... Party may require production of documents................... 298

26B.05................... Documents that need not be produced............................ 298

26B.06................... Objection to production.................................................. 298

26B.07................... Disclosure by giving a list of documents........................ 299

26B.08................... Disclosure by inspection of documents.......................... 300

26B.09................... Applications for orders relating to disclosure................. 300

26B.10................... Costs of compliance........................................................ 302

26B.11................... Electronic disclosure....................................................... 302

Part 26B.2—Subpoenas 303

Division 26B.2.1—General 303

26B.12................... Application of this Part................................................... 303

26B.13................... Interpretation................................................................... 303

26B.14................... Issuing a subpoena......................................................... 303

26B.15................... Subpoena not to issue in certain circumstances............... 304

26B.16................... Amendment of subpoena................................................ 304

26B.17................... Service............................................................................ 304

26B.18................... Conduct money and witness fees.................................... 305

26B.19................... When compliance is not required.................................... 306

26B.20................... Duration of subpoena..................................................... 306

26B.21................... Objection to subpoena.................................................... 306

Division 26B.2.2—Production of documents and access by parties 307

26B.22................... Application of Division 26B.2.2..................................... 307

26B.23................... Compliance with subpoena............................................. 307

26B.24................... Right to inspect and copy documents.............................. 307

26B.25................... Objections relating to production of documents.............. 308

26B.26................... Court permission to inspect documents.......................... 309

26B.27................... Production of document from a court............................. 309

26B.28................... Return or destruction of documents produced................ 309

Division 26B.2.3—Non‑compliance with subpoena 311

26B.29................... Non‑compliance with subpoena...................................... 311

Part 26B.3—Other rules relating to arbitration 312

26B.30................... Referral of question of law by an arbitrator.................... 312

26B.31................... Referral of other matters to the court by the arbitrator..... 312

26B.32................... Informing the court about awards made in arbitration..... 312

26B.33................... Registration of awards made in arbitration...................... 312

26B.34................... Response to applications in relation to arbitration........... 312

26B.35................... Arbitrator to notify court when certain arbitrations end.. 313

Chapter 27—Transitional provisions 314

Part 27.1—Transitional provisions relating to the Family Law Amendment (Costs) Rules 2017 314

27.01..................... Application of Schedule 3 (itemised scale of costs)........ 314

Part 27.2—Transitional provisions relating to the Family Law Amendment (Insolvency Law Reform) Rules 2017 315

27.03..................... Transitional—release of trustee....................................... 315

Part 27.3—Transitional provisions relating to the Family Law Amendment (2018 Measures No. 1) Rules 2018 316

27.04..................... Application—submitting notices..................................... 316

27.05..................... Application—notices of contention................................. 316

27.06..................... Application—documents to be used in conjunction with an affidavit 316

27.07..................... Application—compliance with subpoena........................ 316

27.08..................... Application—undertakings............................................. 316

Chapter 1—Introduction

Summary of Chapter 1

Chapter 1 sets out the rules relating to:

· the main purpose of these Rules, and the obligations of parties, lawyers and the court;

· the court’s general powers that are to apply in all cases; and

· other preliminary matters, including sittings, definitions, calculation of time and publication.

These Rules are not, and should not be read as if they were, a complete code of the court’s powers. Other powers are found in the provisions of various Acts, the court’s inherent jurisdiction and the common law.

The rules in Chapter 1 relating to the court’s general powers apply in all cases and override all other provisions in these Rules.

A word or expression used in this Chapter may be defined in the dictionary at the end of these Rules.

Part 1.1—Preliminary

1.01 Name of Rules

These Rules are the Family Law Rules 2004.

1.02 Commencement

These Rules commence on 29 March 2004.

Note: The Family Law Rules 1984 (the old Rules), as in force under the Family Law Act 1975 immediately before the commencement of these Rules (the new Rules), are repealed—see the Family Law Repeal Rules 2004. The new Rules apply to a case that was commenced in accordance with the old Rules and not determined before the repeal of those Rules—see rule 4 of the Family Law Repeal Rules 2004.

1.03 Rules in Chapter 1 prevail

(1) Chapter 1 sets out the general rules that the court may apply in all cases.

(2) If a rule in another Chapter conflicts with a rule in Chapter 1 of these Rules, the rule in Chapter 1 applies.

Part 1.2—Main purpose of Rules

1.04 Main purpose of Rules

The main purpose of these Rules is to ensure that each case is resolved in a just and timely manner at a cost to the parties and the court that is reasonable in the circumstances of the case.

Note: Section 43 of the Act sets out the principles that the court must apply when exercising its jurisdiction under the Act.

1.05 Pre‑action procedure

(1) Before starting a case, each prospective party to the case must comply with the pre‑action procedures, the text of which is set out in Schedule 1.

(2) Compliance with subrule (1) is not necessary if:

(a) for a parenting case—the case involves allegations of child abuse or family violence, or the risk of child abuse or family violence;

(b) for a property case—the case involves allegations of family violence, or the risk of family violence, or fraud;

(d) the applicant would be unduly prejudiced;

(e) there has been a previous application in the same cause of action in the 12 months immediately before the start of the case;

(f) the case is an application for divorce;

(g) the case is a child support application or appeal; or

(h) the case involves a court’s jurisdiction in bankruptcy under section 35 or 35B of the Bankruptcy Act.

Note 1: The court publishes a brochure setting out the pre‑action procedures for financial cases and parenting cases.

Note 2: The court may take into account a party’s failure to comply with a pre‑action procedure when considering whether to order costs (see paragraph 1.10(2)(d)).

Note 3: Subsections 60I(7) to (12) provide for attendance at family dispute resolution before applying for an order under Part VII of the Act in relation to a child.

1.06 Promoting the main purpose

The court must apply these Rules to promote the main purpose, and actively manage each case by:

(a) encouraging and helping parties to consider and use a dispute resolution method rather than having the case resolved by trial;

(b) having regard to unresolved risks or other concerns about the welfare of a child involved;

(c) identifying the issues in dispute early in the case and separating and disposing of any issues that do not need full investigation and trial;

(d) at an early stage, identifying and matching types of cases to the most appropriate case management procedure;

(e) setting realistic timetables, and monitoring and controlling the progress of each case;

(f) ensuring that parties and their lawyers comply with these Rules, any practice directions and procedural orders;

(g) considering whether the likely benefits of taking a step justify the cost of that step;

(h) dealing with as many aspects of the case as possible on the same occasion;

(i) minimising the need for parties and their lawyers to attend court by, if appropriate, relying on documents; and

(j) having regard to any barriers to a party’s understanding of anything relevant to the case.

1.07 Achieving the main purpose

To achieve the main purpose, the court applies these Rules in a way that:

(a) deals with each case fairly, justly and in a timely manner;

(b) encourages parties to negotiate a settlement, if appropriate;

(d) promotes the saving of costs;

(e) gives an appropriate share of the court’s resources to a case, taking into account the needs of other cases; and

(f) promotes family relationships after resolution of the dispute, where possible.

1.08 Responsibility of parties and lawyers in achieving the main purpose

(1) Each party has a responsibility to promote and achieve the main purpose, including:

(a) ensuring that any orders sought are reasonable in the circumstances of the case and that the court has the power to make those orders;

(b) complying with the duty of disclosure (see rule 13.01);

(d) providing realistic estimates of the length of hearings or trials;

(e) complying with time limits;

(f) giving notice, as soon as practicable, of an intention to apply for an adjournment or cancellation of a court event;

(g) assisting the just, timely and cost‑effective disposal of cases;

(h) identifying the issues genuinely in dispute in a case;

(i) being satisfied that there is a reasonable basis for alleging, denying or not admitting a fact;

(j) limiting evidence, including cross‑examination, to that which is relevant and necessary;

(k) being aware of, and abiding by, the requirements of any practice direction or guideline published by the court; and

(l) complying with these Rules and any orders.

(2) A lawyer for a party has a responsibility to comply, as far as possible, with subrule (1).

Note: The court recognises that a lawyer acts on a party’s instructions and may be unable to establish whether those instructions are correct.

(3) A lawyer attending a court event for a party must:

(a) be familiar with the case; and

(b) be authorised to deal with any issue likely to arise.

Note: The court may take into account a failure to comply with this rule when considering costs (see subrule 19.10(1) and subclause 6.10(1) of Schedule 6).

Part 1.3—Court’s powers in all cases

1.09 Procedural orders in cases of doubt or difficulty

If the court is satisfied that:

(a) a legislative provision does not provide a practice or procedure; or

(b) a difficulty arises, or doubt exists, in relation to a matter of practice or procedure;

it may make such orders as it considers necessary.

1.10 Court may make orders

(1) Unless a legislative provision states otherwise, the court may make an order, on application or on its own initiative, in relation to any matter mentioned in these Rules.

(2) When making an order, the court may:

(a) impose terms and conditions;

(b) make a consequential order;

(d) take into account whether a party has complied with a pre‑action procedure.

1.11 Court may set aside or vary order

The court may set aside or vary an order made in the exercise of a power under these Rules.

1.12 Court may dispense with Rules

(1) These Rules apply unless the court, on application or its own initiative, orders otherwise.

(2) The court may dispense with compliance with any of these Rules at any time, before or after the occasion for compliance arises.

(3) In considering whether to make an order under this rule, the court may consider:

(a) the main purpose of these Rules (see rule 1.04);

(b) the administration of justice;

(d) whether non‑compliance was intentional; and

(e) the effect that granting relief would have on each party and parties to other cases in the court.

1.13 Judicial officer hearing application

Unless a legislative provision states otherwise, if:

(a) these Rules provide that an application or appeal is to be heard by a particular judicial officer or particular class of judicial officer; and

(b) such a person is unavailable;

the application or appeal may be listed before another judicial officer who has jurisdiction to hear the application or appeal.

1.14 Shortening or extension of time

(1) A party may apply to the court to shorten or extend a time that is fixed under these Rules or by a procedural order.

(2) A party may make an application under subrule (1) for an order extending a time to be made even though the time fixed by the rule or order has passed.

(3) A party who makes an application under subrule (1) for an extension of time may be ordered to pay any other party’s costs in relation to the application.

1.15 Time for compliance

If a rule or order requires a person to take an action but does not specify a time by which the action is to be taken, the person must take the action as soon as practicable.

Part 1.4—Other preliminary matters

1.16 Definitions—the dictionary

(1) The dictionary at the end of these Rules defines and explains certain words and expressions.

(2) Within a definition, the defined term is identified by bold italics.

(3) The dictionary is part of these Rules.

(4) A definition of a word or expression in the dictionary applies to each use of the word or expression in these Rules, unless the context does not permit.

1.17 Notes, examples etc

(1) The following are explanatory only and are not part of these Rules:

(a) chapter summaries;

(b) examples;

(d) notes.

(2) The explanatory guide at the end of these Rules is not part of these Rules and is not to be used in interpreting these Rules.

Note 1: See section 13 and paragraph 15AB(2)(a) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

Note 2: In interpreting these Rules:

Specific prevails over the general

In these Rules, if there is a conflict between a general rule and a specific rule, the specific rule prevails.

Use of ‘and’ and ‘or’ between paragraphs etc

A series of paragraphs may be joined by the word and or or, which will appear between the last 2 paragraphs only. The series is to be read as if the same word appears between each paragraph in the series—for example:

(1) This is:

(a) a paragraph;

(b) another paragraph; and

(c) yet another paragraph.

and

(2) This is:

(a) a paragraph;

(b) another paragraph; or

(c) yet another paragraph.

If the paragraphs are to be read as a list, the words and or or are not used—for example:

(3) A provision may include the following:

(a) a paragraph;

(b) another paragraph;

(c) yet another paragraph.

1.18 Sittings

The Family Court of Australia must sit at the times and places the Chief Justice directs.

1.19 Prohibition on recording

(1) A person must not photograph or record by electronic or mechanical means:

(a) a hearing or part of a hearing:

(b) a trial or part of a trial;

(d) an attendance with a family consultant;

(e) an attendance with a single expert under these Rules;

(f) a conference of experts ordered by a court; or

(g) a person who is in court premises.

Note: Section 121 of the Act restricts publication of information relating to cases.

(2) Subrule (1) does not apply to a photograph or recording made at the request of:

(a) a court;

(b) in relation to an attendance with a family consultant—the family consultant;

(d) in relation to a conference of experts—the experts.

(3) A person commits an offence if the person contravenes subrule (1).

Penalty: 50 penalty units.

1.20 Publishing lists of cases

(1) A list of cases to be heard in the court prepared by a Registry Manager may be:

(a) published in the law list in a newspaper; and

(b) made available to members of the legal profession and their employees.

Note: See subsection 121(2) of the Act.

(2) The list may contain:

(a) subject to subrule (3), the family name of a party, but not a given name;

(b) the file number of a case;

(d) the time and place where a named judicial officer will sit; and

(e) the general nature of an application.

(3) For a case in which a court has jurisdiction in bankruptcy under section 35 or 35B of the Bankruptcy Act, the list may contain the given name of a party.

1.21 Calculating time

(1) Time in a case runs during a period when the filing registry is closed.

(2) If:

(a) the period allowed by these Rules or an order for an action to be validly taken is 5 days or less; and

(b) the period includes a day when the filing registry is closed;

that day is not counted.

(3) For the calculation of time of one day or more from a particular day, or from the occurrence of a particular event, the particular day, or the day when the event occurs, is not counted.

(4) If the last day for taking an action requiring attendance at a filing registry is on a day when the filing registry is closed, the action may be taken on the next day when the filing registry is open.

(5) Subsection 36(2) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 does not apply to these Rules.

1.22 Methods of attaching the seal of the Court

The seal of the Court may be attached to a document:

(a) by hand; or

(b) by electronic means; or

Chapter 2—Starting a case

Summary of Chapter 2

Chapter 2 sets out rules about:

· the form of application you must file to start a case in a court, respond to an application or seek orders in the course of a case;

· the documents you must file with an application or response; and

· the brochures that must be served in a case.

Before starting a case, you must comply with the court’s pre‑action procedures (see subrule 1.05(1) and Schedule 1).

The rules in Chapter 1 relating to the court’s general powers apply in all cases and override all other provisions in these Rules.

A word or expression used in this Chapter may be defined in the dictionary at the end of these Rules.

Part 2.1—Applications

2.01 Which application to file

A person starting a case must file an application as set out in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1 Applications

Item	Kind of application	Application form to be filed
1	Application seeking final orders (other than a consent order or a divorce), for example:	Initiating Application (Family Law)
	· property settlement · parenting (including in relation to a child born under a surrogacy arrangement) · maintenance · child support · medical procedures
	· nullity · declaration as to validity of marriage, divorce or annulment
	· order relating to passport (see Division 4.2.7)
2	Interim order sought at the same time as an application for final orders is made	Initiating Application (Family Law)
2A	Interim order sought after an application for final orders is made	Application in a Case
3	Procedural, ancillary or other incidental order relating to an order or application sought at the same time as an application for final orders is made	Initiating Application (Family Law)
3A	Procedural, ancillary or other incidental order relating to an order or application sought after an application for final orders is made	Application in a Case
4	Enforcement of a financial obligation or parenting order	Application in a Case
5	Review of an order of a Registrar or Judicial Registrar	Application in a Case
6	Divorce	Application for Divorce
7	Consent order when there is no current case	Application for Consent Orders
8	Contravention of an order under Division 13A of Part VII of the Act affecting children, for example, a breach of a contact order	Application—Contravention
9	Contravention of an order under Part XIIIA of the Act not affecting children, for example, a breach of a property order	Application—Contravention
10	Failure to comply with a bond entered into in accordance with the Act	Application—Contravention
11	Contempt of court	Application—Contempt

Note 1: A respondent seeking orders in another cause of action may make an application in a Response to Initiating Application (Family Law) (see paragraph 9.01 (3) (c)).

Note 2: For further information about:

(a) a divorce application, see Chapter 3;

(b) starting a case for final orders other than a divorce, see Chapter 4;

(ba) making an application for a parenting order in relation to a child born under a surrogacy arrangement, see Division 4.2.8;

(d) an application for a consent order, see Chapter 10;

(e) an application for contempt, enforcement or contravention, see Chapters 20 and 21; and

(f) an application relating to the failure of a party to comply with a bond, see Chapter 21;

(g) an appeal or an application relating to an appeal, see Chapter 22; and

(h) an application relating to a bankruptcy case, see Chapter 26.

Note 3: An application seeking orders under the Act may not be filed in a court of a Territory unless the applicant or respondent ordinarily resides in the Territory at the time the application is filed (see subsection 39(8) and section 69K of the Act).

2.02 Documents to be filed with applications

(1) A person must file with an application mentioned in an item of Table 2.2, the document mentioned in the item if the document has not already been filed.

Table 2.2 Documents to be filed with applications

Item	Application	Documents to be filed with application
2A	Initiating Application (Family Law) in which an order is sought under Part VII of the Act, for example, a parenting order	(a) a certificate given to the applicant by a family dispute resolution practitioner under subsection 60I(8) of the Act; or (b) if no certificate is required because paragraph 60I(9)(b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of the Act applies—an affidavit in a form approved by the Chief Executive Officer unless another affidavit filed in the proceedings sets out the factual basis of the exception claimed (c) if the application is for a parenting order in relation to a child born under a surrogacy arrangement—an affidavit in a form approved by the Chief Executive Officer Note: Division 4.2.8 of these Rules and section 60HB of the Act relate to children born under surrogacy arrangements.
2B	Initiating Application (Family Law) in which an order is sought relating to a de facto relationship	(a) the documents required by an item in this table that applies to the application (for example items 2A to 6 and 9); and (b) to satisfy the court for section 90SB of the Act that the relationship is or was registered under a prescribed law—the certificate of registration; and
		(c) for an applicant who has made a choice under subitem 86A(1) or 90A(1) of Schedule 1 to the Family Law Amendment (De Facto Financial Matters and Other Measures) Act 2008—a document that satisfies the requirements of subitem 86A(5) or 90A(5) of that Act
3	Initiating Application (Family Law), or Response to Initiating Application (Family Law), in which financial orders are sought, for example, property settlement, maintenance, child support	a completed Financial Statement (see rule 13.05)
4	Initiating Application (Family Law) or Response to Initiating Application (Family Law) in which property settlement orders are sought, and Reply responding to Response to Initiating Application (Family Law) in which property orders are sought as a new cause of action	(a) the documents mentioned in this column in item 3; (b) a completed superannuation information form (attached to the Financial Statement) for a superannuation interest of the party filing the Initiating Application (Family Law), Response or Reply to an Initiating Application (Family Law)
5	Initiating Application (Family Law) or Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law) relying on a cross‑vesting law, or seeking an order under Part 4.2: · for a medical procedure; · for step‑parent maintenance, if there is consent; · for nullity of marriage; · for a declaration as to validity of a marriage or divorce or annulment; or · relating to a passport	an affidavit (see section 66M of the Act and rules 4.06, 4.09, 4.29 and 4.30)
6	Initiating Application (Family Law) or Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law) in which a child support application or appeal is made	the documents mentioned in rule 4.18 for the application
7	Application for interim, procedural, ancillary or other incidental orders in an Initiating Application (Family Law) or Application in Case (other than an application seeking review of a decision of a Registrar or Judicial Registrar)	an affidavit (see rules 5.02 and 9.02)
9	Application for Consent Orders	(a) if the orders sought are for a de facto relationship—one of the documents mentioned in this column in item 2B;
		(b) if the orders sought relate to a superannuation interest—proof of the value of the interest (see subsection 90MT(2) of the Act)
10	Application—Contravention, other than an application to which item 10A applies	an affidavit (see subrules 21.02(2) and (3))
10A	Application—Contravention in which an order is sought under Part VII of the Act	(a) an affidavit (see subrules 21.02(2) and (3)); and (b) either: (i) a certificate given to the applicant by the family dispute resolution practitioner under subsection 60I(8) of the Act; or
		(ii) if no certificate is required because paragraph 60I(9)(b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of the Act applies—an affidavit in a form approved by the Chief Executive Officer unless another affidavit filed in the proceedings sets out the factual basis of the exception claimed
11	Application—Contempt	an affidavit (see subrule 21.02(2))

(4) If a document mentioned in Table 2.2 is not in English, the person filing the document must file:

(a) a translation of the document, in English; and

(b) an affidavit, by the person who made the translation, verifying the translation and setting out the person’s qualifications to make the translation.

(5) An applicant in proceedings mentioned in subsection 100(1) of the Assessment Act or subsection 105(1) of the Registration Act is not required to file in the court a certificate given to the applicant by a family dispute resolution practitioner under subsection 60I(8) of the Family Law Act.

Note 1: A party must not file an affidavit with an Initiating Application (Family Law) unless an application seeking interim, procedural, ancillary or other incidental orders is included in the Initiating Application (Family Law) or permitted to do so by Chapter 4 or an order (see rules 1.12 and 4.02).

Note 2: A document that is filed must be served (see rules 7.03 and 7.04).

Note 3: For information about filing documents, see Chapter 24.

2.02A Documents filed by electronic communication

A person who files a document by electronic communication must:

(a) include in the filed document and each copy served on another person any details the person knows about the location, date and time of the next court event in the matter; and

(b) if the Registry Manager notifies the person of the details of the next court event—give a copy of the notice as soon as practicable to each person on whom the document is or has been served.

Part 2.2—Brochures

2.03 Service of brochures

A person who files an Initiating Application (Family Law) or an Application for Divorce must, when serving the application on the respondent, also serve a brochure prepared by the court for section 12F of the Act.

Note: In addition to the requirements of this rule, an applicant who has filed an application for enforcement must serve the relevant brochure on the respondent (see paragraph 20.11(3)(b)).

Part 2.3—Notification in certain cases

Division 2.3.1—Cases involving allegation of abuse or family violence in relation to a child

2.04 Definition

In this Division:

Part VII order has the same meaning as in subsection 60I(1) of the Act.

Registry Manager has the same meaning as in section 67Z of the Act.

2.04A Application of Division 2.3.1

This Division applies to a case if an application is made to a court for a Part VII order in relation to a child in the case.

2.04D Prescribed form

(1) The prescribed form for a notice mentioned in subsection 67Z(2) or 67ZBA(2) of the Act is:

(a) if the notice relates to an application in a current case—the Notice of Child Abuse, Family Violence or Risk of Family Violence (Current Case); or

(b) if the notice relates to an Application for Consent Orders—the Notice of Child Abuse, Family Violence or Risk of Family Violence (Application for Consent Orders).

Note: The Notice of Child Abuse, Family Violence or Risk of Family Violence (Current Case) and the Notice of Child Abuse, Family Violence or Risk of Family Violence (Application for Consent Orders) are set out in Schedule 2.

(2) A person who files a notice referred to in paragraph (1)(a) must file an affidavit or affidavits setting out the evidence on which the allegations in the notice are based, no later than the time the notice is filed.

Note: For service of a notice filed in a case to which section 67Z or 67ZBA of the Act applies, subsections 67Z(2) and 67ZBA(2), respectively, require that a person that is the subject of the allegation in the notice must be served with a copy of the notice. The requirements for service of filed documents are set out in rule 7.04.

2.05 Family violence order

(1) A party must file a copy of any family violence order affecting the child or a member of the child’s family:

(a) when a case starts; or

(b) as soon as practicable after the order is made.

(2) If a copy of the family violence order is not available, the party must file a written notice containing:

(a) an undertaking to file the order within a specified time;

(b) the date of the order;

(d) the details of the order.

(2A) Subrule (2) does not apply to a party starting a case by filing an Application for Consent Orders.

(3) If, during the case, a family violence order affecting the child or a member of the child’s family is varied, any party affected by the variation must, as soon as practicable after the order is varied, file a copy of the variation.

Division 2.3.2—Property settlement or spousal or de facto maintenance cases

2.06 Notification of proceeds of crime order or forfeiture application (Act ss 79B, 90M and 90VA)

If a party to a property settlement or spousal maintenance case, or a de facto property settlement or maintenance proceedings, is required to give the Registry Manager written notice under subsection 79B(3), 90M(3) or 90VA(3) of the Act of a proceeds of crime order or forfeiture application, the party must:

(a) file the notice as soon as possible after the party is notified by the proceeds of crime authority under paragraph 79B(3)(b), 90M(3)(b) or 90VA(3)(b) of the Act; and

(b) if the person is required under paragraph 79B(3)(d), 90M(3)(d) or 90VA(3)(d) of the Act to give a document to the Registry Manager—attach the document to the notice.

2.07 Proceeds of crime

(1) If the proceeds of crime authority applies under section 79C, 90N or 90VB of the Act to stay a property settlement or spousal maintenance case, or a de facto property settlement or maintenance proceedings, the authority must, at the same time, file a sealed copy of the proceeds of crime order or forfeiture application covering the property of the parties to the marriage or either of them, if not already filed.

(2) An application under section 79D, 90P or 90VC of the Act to lift a stay of a property settlement or spousal maintenance case, or a de facto property settlement or maintenance proceedings, must have filed with it:

(a) proof that the proceeds of crime order has ceased to be in force or that the forfeiture application has been finally determined; and

(b) if made by a party, the written consent of the proceeds of crime authority under section 79D, 90P or 90VC of the Act.

Note: A party seeking a stay of a case or an order lifting a stay under this rule must file an Application in a Case (see Chapter 5).

Chapter 3—Divorce

Summary of Chapter 3

Chapter 3 sets out the procedure for obtaining a divorce. You may also need to refer to other Chapters in these Rules, particularly Chapters 7 and 24, when applying for a divorce.

The rules in Chapter 1 relating to the court’s general powers apply in all cases and override all other provisions in these Rules.

A word or expression used in this Chapter may be defined in the dictionary at the end of these Rules.

Part 3.1—Application for Divorce

3.01 Fixing of hearing date

(1) On the filing of an Application for Divorce, the Registry Manager must fix a date for the hearing of the application.

(2) The date fixed must be:

(a) for a joint application—at least 28 days after the application is filed; or

(b) for any other application:

(i) if the respondent is in Australia—at least 42 days after the application is filed; or

(ii) if the respondent is outside Australia—at least 56 days after the application is filed.

Note 1: An Application for Divorce (other than a joint application) must be served on the respondent (see rule 7.03).

Note 2: When an Application for Divorce is served, the respondent must also be given a brochure approved by the Chief Executive Officer (see rule 2.03).

3.02 Amendment of an Application for Divorce

An applicant may amend an Application for Divorce:

(a) within 14 days before the hearing; or

(b) within any shorter time permitted by the court or consented to by the respondent.

3.03 Discontinuance of an Application for Divorce

An applicant may discontinue an Application for Divorce by filing and serving a Notice of Discontinuance at least 7 days before the date fixed for the hearing.

Note: The court may, at the hearing, give permission for an Application for Divorce to be discontinued.

Part 3.2—Response

3.04 Response

(1) A respondent to an Application for Divorce who seeks to oppose the divorce or contest the jurisdiction of the court must file a Response to an Application for Divorce:

(a) if the respondent is served in Australia—within 28 days after the day when the Application for Divorce is served on the respondent; or

(b) if the respondent is served outside Australia—within 42 days after the day when the Application for Divorce is served on the respondent.

(2) If a respondent files a Response to an Application for Divorce:

(a) the hearing must proceed in open court; and

(b) each party must attend or be represented by a lawyer.

Note: A document that is filed must be served (see rules 7.03 and 7.04).

3.05 Objection to jurisdiction

(1) If, in a Response to an Application for Divorce, a respondent objects to the jurisdiction of the court, the respondent will not be taken to have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court by also seeking an order that the application be dismissed on another ground.

(2) The objection to the jurisdiction must be determined before any other orders sought in the Response to an Application for Divorce.

3.06 Response out of time

If a respondent files a Response to an Application for Divorce after the time allowed under subrule 3.04(1):

(a) the applicant may consent to the late filing; or

(b) if the applicant does not consent, the court may continue the case as if the response had not been filed.

Note: The respondent may apply to the court for permission to file a Response to an Application for Divorce after the time allowed by rule 3.04 (see rule 1.14).

3.07 Affidavit to reply to information in an Application for Divorce

A respondent to an Application for Divorce who disputes any of the facts set out in the application, but does not oppose the divorce, may, at least 7 days before the date fixed for the hearing of the application, file and serve an affidavit setting out the facts in dispute.

Part 3.3—Attendance at hearing

3.08 Attendance at hearing

(1) A party may apply under rule 5.06 to attend the hearing of an Application for Divorce by electronic communication.

(2) Subject to Part 3.4:

(a) if the applicant fails to attend the hearing in person or by a lawyer, the application may be dismissed; and

(b) if the respondent fails to attend the hearing in person or by a lawyer, the applicant may proceed with the hearing as if the application were undefended.

Part 3.4—Hearing in absence of parties

3.09 Seeking a hearing in absence of parties

If, in an Application for Divorce (other than a case started by a joint Application):

(a) no Response has been filed;

(b) at the date fixed for the hearing, there are no children of the marriage within the meaning of subsection 98A(3) of the Act;

(d) the respondent has not requested the court not to hear the case in the absence of the parties;

the court may determine the case in the absence of the parties.

3.10 Hearing in absence of parties—joint application

If, in a joint Application for Divorce, the applicants request that the case be heard in their absence, the court may so determine the case.

Note: The court must not determine the Application in the absence of the parties if there are any children of the marriage who are under 18 and the court is not satisfied that proper arrangements have been made for their care, welfare and development (see subsection 98A(2A) of the Act).

3.11 Request not to hear case in parties’ absence

A respondent to an Application for Divorce who objects to the case being heard in the absence of the parties must, at least 7 days before the date fixed for the hearing, file and serve a written notice to that effect.

Note 1: If a respondent seeks that a case not be heard in the absence of the parties, the court must not determine the case in the absence of the parties (see subsection 98A(1) of the Act).

Note 2: A notice under this rule must comply with subrule 24.01(1).

Part 3.5—Events affecting divorce order

3.12 Application for rescission of divorce order

A party may, before a divorce order nisi becomes absolute, apply for the order to be rescinded by filing an Application in a Case.

Note 1: Sections 57 and 58 of the Act set out the circumstances in which the court may rescind a divorce order nisi.

Note 2: A party filing an Application in a Case must file an affidavit (see rule 5.02).

3.13 Death of party

If a party to an Application for Divorce dies after the divorce order nisi is made but before the order becomes absolute, the surviving party must inform the Registry Manager of the death of the other party by filing:

(a) the death certificate of the deceased party; or

(b) an affidavit stating the details of the deceased party’s date and place of death.

Chapter 4—Application for Final Orders

Summary of Chapter 4

Chapter 4 sets out rules about:

· the general procedure for starting a case by an Initiating Application (Family Law) seeking final orders, for example, an Application for Property Settlement or Parenting Orders; and

· the procedure for starting specific applications such as an Application relying on cross‑vesting laws, for a medical procedure, maintenance, child support or a declaration as to validity of a marriage.

Before starting a case, you must comply with the court’s pre‑action procedures (see subrule 1.05(1) and Schedule 1).

You may also need to refer to other Chapters in these Rules when making an application, in particular, Chapters 6, 7 and 24.

Note: This Chapter does not apply to:

(a) an Application for Divorce (see Chapter 3);

(b) an application for an interim, procedural or other incidental order about an application seeking final orders whether made in an Initiating Application (Family Law) or an Application in a Case (see Chapter 5);

(d) an Application to enforce an obligation to pay money (see Chapter 20);

(e) an Application resulting from a contravention of an order or in relation to contempt (see Chapter 21);

(f) an Application relating to an appeal (see Chapter 22); or

(g) an appeal (see Chapter 22).

The rules in Chapter 1 relating to the court’s general powers apply in all cases and override all other provisions in these Rules.

A word or expression used in this Chapter may be defined in the dictionary at the end of these Rules.

Part 4.1—Introduction

4.01 Contents of Application for Final Orders

(1) In an Initiating Application (Family Law), the applicant must:

(a) give full particulars of the orders sought; and

(b) include all causes of action that can be disposed of conveniently in the same case.

Note: Under paragraph 1.08(1)(a), any orders sought must be reasonable in the circumstances of the case and within the power of the court.

(2) A party seeking any of the following must not include any other cause of action in the Application:

(a) an order that a marriage be annulled;

(b) a declaration as to the validity of a marriage, divorce or annulment;

Note: An application for an order mentioned in subrule (2) may only be made in an Initiating Application (Family Law) and must not be made in a Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law) (see subrule 9.01(4)).

(3) Despite subrule (2), a party may seek the following orders in the same Application:

(a) an order that a marriage be annulled;

(b) a declaration as to the validity of a marriage, divorce or annulment.

Note: For amendment of an application, see Division 11.2.2.

4.02 Filing affidavits

A party must not file an affidavit with an Initiating Application (Family Law) unless permitted or required to do so by these Rules.

Example: A party only seeking final orders for property settlement or parenting orders must not file an affidavit with an Initiating Application (Family Law).

4.03 First court date

On the filing of an Initiating Application (Family Law), the Registry Manager must fix a date:

(a) in a parenting case—for a procedural hearing that is as near as practicable to 28 days after the application was filed;

(b) in a financial case—for a case assessment conference that is as near as practicable to 28 days after the application was filed;

(c) if the application includes both a financial case and a parenting case—for a case assessment conference that is as near as practicable to 28 days after the application was filed; or

(d) if an earlier date is fixed for the hearing of that or another application so far as it concerns an interim, procedural or other ancillary order in the case—for a procedural hearing on the same day.

Note: Under subrule 5.05(4), a Registrar may, in exceptional circumstances, allow an application for an interim, procedural, ancillary or other incidental order to be listed for urgent hearing. Chapter 12 sets out the requirements for case assessment conferences and procedural hearings.

Part 4.2—Specific applications

Division 4.2.1—General

4.04 General provisions still apply

If a rule in this Part specifies particular requirements for an application, those requirements are in addition to the general requirements for an Initiating Application (Family Law).

4.05 Application by Attorney‑General for transfer of case

If the Attorney‑General of the Commonwealth, or of a State or Territory, applies for the transfer of a case under Division 4.2.2 (Cross‑vesting) or Chapter 25 (Corporations Act 2001), the Attorney‑General does not, by that application, automatically become a party to the case.

Division 4.2.2—Cross‑vesting

4.06 Cross‑vesting matters

(1) If a party filing an Initiating Application (Family Law) or a Response to Initiating Application (Family Law) relies on a cross‑vesting law, the party must specify, in the application or response, the particular State or Territory law on which the party relies.

(2) A party relying on a cross‑vesting law after a case has started must file an Application in a Case seeking procedural orders in relation to the matter.

(3) A party to whom subrule (1) or (2) applies must also file an affidavit stating:

(a) that the claim is based on the State or Territory law and the reasons why the Family Court should deal with the claim;

(b) the rules of evidence and procedure (other than those of the relevant Family Court) on which the party relies; and

4.07 Transfer of case

A party to a case to which rule 4.06 applies may apply to have the case transferred to another court by filing an Application in a Case.

Note: An application under this rule must be listed for hearing by a Judge.

Division 4.2.3—Medical procedure

4.08 Application for medical procedure

(1) Any of the following persons may make a Medical Procedure Application in relation to a child:

(a) a parent of the child;

(b) a person who has a parenting order in relation to the child;

(d) the independent children’s lawyer;

(e) any other person concerned with the care, welfare and development of the child.

(2) If a person mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) or (b) is not an applicant, the person must be named as a respondent to the application.

Note 1: Section 65C of the Act sets out who may apply for a parenting order.

Note 2: Chapter 2 provides for the form to be used to make an Initiating Application (Family Law) and the documents to be filed with that application.

4.09 Evidence supporting application

(1) If a Medical Procedure Application is filed, evidence must be given to satisfy the court that the proposed medical procedure is in the best interests of the child.

(2) The evidence must include evidence from a medical, psychological or other relevant expert witness that establishes the following:

(a) the exact nature and purpose of the proposed medical procedure;

(b) the particular condition of the child for which the procedure is required;

(i) if the procedure is carried out; and

(ii) if the procedure is not carried out;

(d) the nature and degree of any risk to the child from the procedure;

(e) if alternative and less invasive treatment is available—the reason the procedure is recommended instead of the alternative treatments;

(f) that the procedure is necessary for the welfare of the child;

(g) if the child is capable of making an informed decision about the procedure—whether the child agrees to the procedure;

(h) if the child is incapable of making an informed decision about the procedure—that the child:

(i) is currently incapable of making an informed decision; and

(ii) is unlikely to develop sufficiently to be able to make an informed decision within the time in which the procedure should be carried out, or within the foreseeable future;

(i) whether the child’s parents or carer agree to the procedure.

(3) The evidence may be given:

(a) in the form of an affidavit; or

(b) with the court’s permission, orally.

4.10 Service of application

The persons on whom a Medical Procedure Application and any document filed with it must be served include the prescribed child welfare authority.

Note: For service of an Initiating Application (Family Law), see rules 7.03 and 7.04.

4.11 Fixing of hearing date

(1) On the filing of a Medical Procedure Application, the Registry Manager must fix a date for a hearing before a Judge of a Family Court.

(2) The date fixed must be:

(a) as soon as possible after the date of filing; and

(b) if practicable, within 14 days after the date of filing.

Note: Under subrule 9.08(1), a Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law) must be filed at least 7 days before the date fixed for the hearing of the application.

4.12 Procedure on first court date

On the first court date for a Medical Procedure Application, the court must:

(a) make procedural orders for the conduct of the case and adjourn the case to a fixed date of hearing; or

(b) hear and determine the application.

Division 4.2.4—Spousal or de facto maintenance

Note: Applications should not be made under this Division unless an associated matter is pending in the court or filing with the Federal Circuit Court is not available. Under section 33B of the Family Law Act 1975, the Family Court may transfer the proceeding to the Federal Circuit Court without notice to the parties.

4.14 Procedure on first court date

(1) On the first court date for an Application for spousal or de facto maintenance, the Registrar must, if practicable, conduct a case assessment conference.

(2) If the case is not resolved at the case assessment conference, the Registrar may make orders for the conduct of the case, including the exchange of affidavits between the parties and the listing of the case for hearing.

4.15 Evidence to be provided

(1) On the first court date and the hearing date of an Application for spousal or de facto maintenance, each party must bring to the court the following documents:

(a) a copy of the party’s taxation returns for the 3 most recent financial years;

(b) the party’s taxation assessments for the 3 most recent financial years;

(d) if the party receives wages or salary payments—the party’s payslips for the past 12 months;

(e) if the party owns or controls a business, either as sole trader, partnership or a company—the business activity statements and the financial statements (including profit and loss statements and balance sheets) for the 3 most recent financial years of the business; and

(f) any other document relevant to determining the income, needs and financial resources of the party.

Note 1: Documents that may need to be produced under paragraph (f) include documents setting out the details mentioned in rule 13.04.

Note 2: For modification of a spousal maintenance order, see section 83 of the Act. For modification of a de facto maintenance order, see section 90SI of the Act.

(2) Before the hearing date, a party must produce the documents mentioned in subrule (1) for inspection, if the other party to the proceedings makes a written request for their production.

(3) If a request is made under subrule (2), the documents must be produced within 7 working days of the request being received

Division 4.2.5—Child support and child maintenance

Overview of proceedings to which this Division applies

Child support

Applications may be made under the following provisions of the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989:

· subsection 95(6) or section 136 about a child support agreement that has been accepted by the Registrar

· sections 106A and 107 about who is or who is not the parent of the child

· section 111 seeking a departure from administrative assessment backdated over 18 months and up to 7 years

· section 118 for departure from administrative assessment as follows:

· if the Child Support Registrar has refused to determine the departure application because the issues are too complex (sections 98E and 98R);

· if the court has a discretion to determine the application because there is another application pending before the court and the court is satisfied that special circumstances exist to enable it to determine both applications (section 116);

· if there is a minimum administrative assessment (paragraph 116(1)(c))

· section 123 for lump sum or non periodic payments of child support

· section 129 to vary a prior order for lump sum or non periodic child support

· section 139 seeking urgent maintenance after an application has been made for administrative assessment of child support, but has yet to be determined

· section 143 for recovery of child support paid when a person is not liable to pay child support

Note: Applications should not be made under this Division unless an associated matter is pending in the court or filing with the Federal Circuit Court is not available. Under section 33B of the Family Law Act 1975, the Family Court may transfer the proceeding to the Federal Circuit Court without notice to the parties.

Applications may be made under the section 111C of the Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 for an order staying (suspending) the operation of the Act and the Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989, until the finalisation of court proceedings.

Child maintenance

Applications may be made for child maintenance under Division 7 of Part VII of the Family Law Act in relation to children to whom the child support scheme does not apply. Applications may also be made under Parts III and IV of the Family Law Regulations.

4.16 Application of Division 4.2.5

This Division applies to:

(a) an application under the Assessment Act, other than an application for leave to appeal from an order of a court exercising jurisdiction under the Assessment Act;

(ba) an application under section 111C of the Registration Act;

(e) an application under Parts III and IV of the Family Law Regulations.

Note 1: Chapter 2 provides for the form to be used to make an Initiating Application (Family Law) and the documents to be filed with that form.

Note 2: Chapter 22 sets out the procedure for appealing from a decision of a court.

Note 3: The Assessment Act provides that the parties to a child support application should be the liable parent and the eligible carer. The Child Support Registrar does not need to be joined as a party but, after being served with a copy of the application, may intervene in the case.

4.17 Commencing proceedings

An application under this Part must be made in accordance with an Initiating Application (Family Law).

4.18 Documents to be filed with applications

(1) A person must file with an application mentioned in an item of Table 4.1, the documents mentioned in the item.

Table 4.1 Documents to file with applications

Item	Application	Documents to be filed with application
1	All applications for child support	An affidavit setting out the facts relied on in support of the application, attaching: (a) a schedule setting out the section of the Assessment Act or Registration Act under which the application is made; (b) a copy of any decision, notice of decision or assessment made by the Child Support Registrar relevant to the application and statement of reasons for that decision; and (c) a copy of any document lodged by a party with the Child Support Registrar, or received by a party from the Child Support Registrar, relevant to the decision or assessment
2	Application under section 111, 116, 123, 129, 136, 139 and 143 of the Assessment Act and 111C of the Registration Act	An affidavit setting out the facts relied on in support of the application, attaching: (a) the documents mentioned in this column in item 1; (b) a completed Financial Statement; (c) a copy of any relevant order or agreement
3	All applications for child maintenance	A completed Financial Statement

Note: The documents required to be filed with an application under this rule are in addition to the documents required to be filed under rule 2.02.

(2) For paragraph (c) of item 1 of Table 4.1, if the applicant does not have a copy of a document lodged by the other party with the Child Support Agency, the applicant may file the summary of the document prepared by the Child Support Agency.

4.19 Child support agreements

A person who makes an application in relation to a child support agreement must register a copy of the agreement with the court by filing one of the following:

(a) an affidavit attaching the original agreement;

(b) an affidavit attaching a copy of the agreement and stating that the copy is a true copy of the original agreement;

(c) an affidavit stating that the original agreement has been lost and the steps taken to locate the agreement, and attaching a copy of a document received from the Child Support Registrar setting out the terms of the agreement as registered by the Child Support Agency.

4.20 Time limits for applications under Assessment Act

A person must file an application for a declaration under subsection 106A(2) or 107(1) of the Assessment Act within 56 days after being served with a notice given under section 33 or 34 of that Act.

Note 1: A person may apply for an extension of time to file after the time limit mentioned in this rule by filing an Initiating Application (Family Law) or an Application in a Case and an affidavit (see rules 1.14 and 5.01).

Note 2: For information about when a document is taken to be served, see rule 7.17.

4.23 Service of application

(1) The persons to be served with an application under this Part are:

(a) each respondent;

(b) a parent or eligible carer of the child in relation to whom the application is made;

(2) Except for an application for an order staying a decision or an urgent order for child maintenance, an application must be served at least 28 days before the hearing date.

(4) Any documents on which the applicant intends to rely must be served on the persons mentioned in subrule (1) at least 21 days before the hearing date.

4.24 Service by Child Support Registrar

For rule 4.20, if the Child Support Registrar serves a document on a person under the Assessment Act, the document is taken to have been served on the person on the day specified in rule 7.17.

4.25 Procedure on first court date

(1) On the first court date of a child maintenance application or a child support application, the Registrar must, if practicable, conduct a case assessment conference.

Note: The Registry Manager fixes the first court date (see rule 4.03).

(2) If the application is not resolved on the first court date, the Registrar may make orders for the future conduct of the case, including the exchange of affidavits between the parties and the listing of the case for hearing.

4.26 Evidence to be provided

(1) This rule applies to a child support application under section 111, 116, 123, 129, 136, 139 or 143 of the Assessment Act or section 111C of the Registration Act, or a child maintenance application.

(2) On the first court date and the hearing date of the application, each party must bring to the court the following documents:

(a) a copy of the party’s taxation returns for the 3 most recent financial years;

(b) the party’s taxation assessments for the 3 most recent financial years;

(d) if the party receives wages or salary payments—the party’s payslips for the past 12 months;

(f) any other document relevant to determining the income, needs and financial resources of the party.

Note 1: Documents that may need to be produced under paragraph (f) include documents setting out the details mentioned in rule 13.04.

Note 2: For variation of a maintenance order, see subsection 66S(3) of the Act.

(3) Before the hearing date, a party must produce the documents mentioned in subrule (2) for inspection, if the other party to the proceedings makes a written request for their production.

(4) If a request is made under subrule (3), the documents must be produced within 7 working days of the request being received.

Division 4.2.6—Nullity and validity of marriage and divorce

4.27 Application of Division 4.2.6

This Division applies to the following applications:

(a) an application for an order that a marriage is a nullity;

(b) an application for a declaration as to the validity of a marriage;

Note: Chapter 2 provides for the form to be used to make an Initiating Application (Family Law) and the documents to be filed with that application.

4.28 Fixing hearing date

(1) On the filing of an application under this Division, the Registry Manager must fix a date for the hearing of the application.

(2) The date fixed must be:

(a) if the respondent is in Australia—at least 42 days after the application is filed; or

(b) if the respondent is outside Australia—at least 56 days after the application is filed.

4.29 Affidavit to be filed with application

An applicant must file with the application an affidavit stating:

(a) the facts relied on;

(b) for an application for an order that a marriage is a nullity or a declaration as to the validity of a marriage—details of the type of marriage ceremony performed; and

(i) the date of the divorce or order of nullity;

(ii) the name of the court that granted the divorce or order of nullity; and

(iii) the grounds on which the divorce or order of nullity was ordered.

Division 4.2.7—Applications relating to passports

4.30 Application relating to passport

A party seeking only an order that relates to a passport must file an Initiating Application (Family Law) and an affidavit stating the facts relied on.

Note: An application under this rule includes an application under section 67ZD, 68B or 114 of the Act. See also section 7A of the Passports Act 1938.

4.31 Fixing hearing date

On the filing of an application referred to in rule 4.30, the Registry Manager must fix a date for hearing that is as soon as practicable after the date when the application was filed.

Division 4.2.8—Children born under surrogacy arrangements

4.32 Application of Division 4.2.8

This Division applies to an application for a parenting order in relation to a child who was born under a surrogacy arrangement.

Note: See also section 60HB of the Act in relation to children born under surrogacy arrangements.

4.33 Evidence supporting application—general

(1) The evidence in support of an application to which this Division applies must include the evidence, and establish the matters, mentioned in rules 4.34 to 4.36.

(2) The evidence may be given:

(a) in the form of an affidavit; or

(b) with the court’s permission, orally.

4.34 Evidence from applicant and surrogate mother

(1) The evidence must include a copy of the surrogacy agreement (if any), however described.

(2) The evidence must include evidence from the applicant that establishes the applicant’s personal circumstances, including those personal circumstances:

(a) at the time the surrogacy procedure took place; and

(b) in the period immediately before the surrogacy arrangement was entered into; and

(d) in the period immediately after the birth of the child and during subsequent arrangements for the care of the child.

Note: If several applicants jointly file an application for a parenting order to which this Division applies, each applicant must file an affidavit that establishes the matters mentioned in paragraphs (2)(a) and (b).

(3) The evidence must include evidence from the surrogate mother that establishes the surrogate mother’s personal circumstances, including those personal circumstances:

(a) at the time the surrogacy procedure took place; and

(b) in the period immediately before the surrogacy arrangement was entered into; and

(d) in the period immediately after the birth of the child and during subsequent arrangements for the care of the child.

(4) The evidence must include evidence from the surrogate mother as to the following:

(a) whether the surrogacy arrangement was made with her informed consent;

(b) whether she received counselling before entering into the surrogacy arrangement;

4.35 Evidence about child’s identity

The evidence must include evidence regarding the identity of the child, including the following:

(a) evidence regarding the surrogacy arrangement entered into between:

(i) the applicant and the surrogate mother; or

(ii) the applicant and the clinic (if any) at which the surrogacy procedure was performed; or

(iii) the applicant, the surrogate mother and the clinic (if any);

(b) a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate;

(c) a report, prepared in accordance with regulation 21M of the Regulations, relating to the information obtained as a result of carrying out a parentage testing procedure;

(d) if the child is an Australian citizen:

(i) a certified copy of the child’s Australian citizenship certificate; or

(ii) if the child’s name is mentioned on an Australian citizenship certificate issued to one of the child’s parents—a certified copy of the parent’s Australian citizenship certificate;

(e) if an order of the kind referred to in subsection 60HB(1) of the Act has been made in relation to the child—a copy of the order.

4.36 Evidence about relevant law in child’s birth country

The evidence must include evidence regarding the law in the country where the child was born in relation to:

(a) surrogacy arrangements; and

(b) the rights of the surrogate mother in relation to the child; and

4.37 Procedure on first hearing date

On the first court date for an application for a parenting order to which this Division applies, the court must:

(a) make procedural orders for the conduct of the case; and

(b) consider whether to make an order under section 68L of the Act that the child’s interests in the proceedings are to be independently represented by a lawyer; and

(i) to prepare a family report; or

(ii) to carry out other tasks, having regard to the functions of family consultants set out in section 11A of the Act; and

(d) consider whether a condition mentioned in paragraph 65G(2)(a) or (b) of the Act has been met in relation to the parenting order.

Chapter 5—Applications for interim, procedural, ancillary or other incidental orders

Summary of Chapter 5

Chapter 5 sets out the procedure for making an application for interim, procedural, ancillary, or other incidental orders. You may also need to refer to other Chapters in these Rules when making an Application, in particular, Chapters 2, 4, 7 and 24.

The rules in Chapter 1 relating to the court’s general powers apply in all cases and override all other provisions in these Rules.

A word or expression used in this Chapter may be defined in the dictionary at the end of these Rules.

Part 5.1—General

5.01 Restrictions in relation to applications

(1) A party may apply for an interim, procedural, ancillary or other incidental order in relation to a cause of action only if:

(a) the party has made an application for final orders in that cause of action; and

(b) final orders have not been made on that application.

Note: A reference to application includes a reference to cross‑application (see the dictionary).

(2) A party may apply for an interim, procedural, ancillary or other incidental order only if the order sought relates to a current case.

(3) Subrule (2) does not apply if the party is seeking:

(a) permission to start a case or extend a time limit to start a case;

(b) to start a case for a child or a person with a disability under rule 6.10; or

(4) This rule does not apply to restrict the filing of an Application in a Case by:

(a) an independent children’s lawyer;

(b) the Director of Public Prosecutions, when making an application under section 79C, 79D, 90N, 90P, 90VB or 90VC of the Act, to stay or lift a stay of a property settlement or spousal or de facto maintenance case;

(d) a trustee of a personal insolvency agreement.

(4A) This rule does not apply to restrict the filing of an application for an order in relation to an arbitration by a party to the arbitration or an arbitrator conducting the arbitration.

(5) If a party applies for an interim, procedural, ancillary or other order at the start of a case, the application must be in an Initiating Application (Family Law).

(6) If a party applies for an interim, procedural, ancillary or other order after a case has commenced, the application must be in an Application in a Case.

Note 1: An Application in a Case is used to make:

(a) an Application for review of a Judicial Registrar’s or Registrar’s order (see Chapter 18); and

(b) an Application to enforce an obligation to pay money or to enforce a parenting order (see Chapter 20 and rule 21.01).

Note 2: A party may ask for a procedural order orally (see paragraph (h) of item 3 of Table 11.1).

5.01A Filing of applications seeking parenting orders during the Christmas school holiday period

(1) This rule applies to an application for a parenting order relating in whole or part to the school holiday period beginning in December in a year (the application year) and extending to January in the following year.

(2) The application must be filed before 4.00 pm on the second Friday in November of the application year.

Note: Except in cases of urgency (where the usual criteria for an urgent hearing will apply), an application filed after the deadline under subrule (2) will be allocated the next available date in the usual way. That date may be after Christmas. In other words, if the deadline has passed, the fact that an application relates to the school holiday period will not of itself justify a listing before Christmas. In urgent cases, applications to abridge times and to list a matter on short notice can be made to the Registry.

5.02 Evidence in applications to which Chapter 5 applies

(1) A party who applies for an interim, procedural, ancillary or other incidental order in an Initiating Application (Family Law), or who files an Application in a Case, must at the same time file an affidavit stating the facts relied on in support of the orders sought.

(2) Subrule (1) does not apply to an Application in a Case in which a review of the order of a Judicial Registrar or Registrar is sought.

Note: Some rules require that the affidavit filed with the Application address specific factors (see, for example, rule 5.12).

5.03 Procedure before filing

(1) Before filing an application seeking interim, procedural, ancillary or other incidental orders, a party must make a reasonable and genuine attempt to settle the issue to which the application relates.

(2) An applicant does not have to comply with subrule (1) if:

(a) compliance will cause undue delay or expense;

(b) the applicant would be unduly prejudiced;

(d) there are circumstances in which an application is necessary (for example, if there is an allegation of child abuse, family violence or fraud).

Note: The court may take into account a party’s failure to comply with subrule (1) when considering any order for costs (see subsections 117(2) and (2A) of the Act).

5.05 Fixing a date for hearing or case assessment conference

(1) On the filing of an Application in a Case, or an Initiating Application (Family Law) in which application is made for interim, procedural, ancillary or other orders, the Registry Manager must fix a date for a hearing, procedural hearing or case assessment conference on a date that is as near as practicable to 28 days after the application was filed.

(2) An application in which the only orders sought are procedural orders must be listed for a hearing on the first court date.

(3) If an Application in a Case is filed after another related application, the Application in a Case may be listed for the same first court date as the related application if a Registrar considers it to be reasonable in the circumstances.

Note: If an Initiating Application (Family Law) seeks interim, procedural, ancillary or other incidental orders, and an earlier date is fixed for the hearing of the application under subrule 5.05(4), the Application to the extent that it concerns final orders must be dealt with on the same court date (see subrule 4.03).

(4) The Registry Manager may fix an earlier date for the hearing of an Application in a Case, or an Initiating Application (Family Law) in which application is made for interim, procedural, ancillary or other incidental orders, if a Registrar is satisfied that:

(a) the reason for the urgency is significant and credible; and

(b) there is a harm that will be avoided, remedied or mitigated by hearing the application earlier.

Note: The court may order costs against a party who has unreasonably had a matter listed for urgent hearing.

(5) If a date for a hearing is fixed, the application must, as far as practicable, be heard by the court on that day.

5.06 Attendance by electronic communication

(1) A party may request permission to do any of the following things by electronic communication at a hearing:

(a) attend;

(b) make a submission;

(d) adduce evidence from a witness.

(2) Before making a request, the party must ask any other party whether the other party agrees, or objects, to the use of electronic communication for the purpose proposed by the party.

(3) A request must:

(a) be in writing;

(b) be made at least 7 days before the date fixed for the hearing;

(d) set out details of the notice in relation to the request that has been given to any other party;

(e) state whether any other party agrees or objects to the request; and

(f) state the expense to be incurred by using the electronic communication.

(4) A request may be considered in chambers, on the documents.

(5) The court may take the following matters into account when considering a request:

(a) the distance between the party’s residence and the place where the court is to sit;

(b) any difficulty the party has in attending because of illness or disability;

(d) the expense to be incurred, or the savings to be made, by using the electronic communication;

(e) any concerns about security, including family violence and intimidation;

(f) whether any other party objects to the request.

(6) If the court grants the request, the court may:

(a) order a party to pay the expense of using the electronic communication; or

(b) apportion the expense between the parties.

(7) If a request is granted, the party who made the request must immediately give written notice to the other parties.

5.07 Attendance of party or witness in prison

(1) A party who is in prison must attend at a hearing by electronic communication.

(2) A party who intends to adduce evidence from a witness in prison must:

(a) arrange for the witness to attend and give evidence at the hearing by electronic communication; and

(b) advise the court and the other parties about that arrangement at least 2 days before the date fixed for the hearing.

(3) A party may seek permission from the court for a party or witness who is in prison to attend the hearing in person.

Example: A party may apply for an order under subrule (3) if a prison or court has no facilities for the hearing to proceed by electronic communication.

(4) A request under subrule (3) must:

(a) be in writing;

(b) be made at least 7 days before the date fixed for the hearing;

(d) inform the court whether the other party objects to the request.

(5) Subrules 5.06(4) and (7) apply to a request under this rule.

Part 5.2—Hearing—interim and procedural applications

5.08 Interim orders—matters to be considered

When considering whether to make an interim order, the court may take into account:

(a) in a parenting case—the best interests of the child (see section 60CC of the Act);

(b) whether there are reasonable grounds for making the order;

(d) the main purpose of these Rules (see rule 1.04); and

(e) whether the parties would benefit from participating in one of the dispute resolution methods.

5.09 Affidavits

The following affidavits may be relied on as evidence in chief at the hearing of an interim or procedural application:

(a) subject to rule 9.07, one affidavit by each party;

(b) one affidavit by each witness, provided the evidence is relevant and cannot be given by a party.

5.10 Hearing time of interim or procedural application

(1) The hearing of an interim or procedural application must be no longer than 2 hours.

(2) Cross‑examination will be allowed at a hearing only in exceptional circumstances.

5.11 Party’s failure to attend

(1) If a party does not attend when a hearing starts, the other party may seek the orders sought in that party’s application, including (if necessary) adducing evidence to establish an entitlement to the orders sought against the party not attending.

(2) If no party attends the hearing, the court may dismiss the application and response, if any.

Note: A reference to application includes a reference to cross‑application (see the dictionary).

Part 5.3—Application without notice

5.12 Application without notice

An applicant seeking that an interim order or procedural order be made without notice to the respondent must:

(a) satisfy the court about why:

(i) shortening the time for service of the application and the fixing of an early date for hearing after service would not be more appropriate; and

(ii) an order should be made without notice to the other party; and

(b) in an affidavit or orally, with the court’s permission, make full and frank disclosure of all the facts relevant to the application, including:

(i) whether there is a history or allegation of child abuse or family violence between the parties;

(ii) whether there has been a previous case between the parties and, if so, the nature of the case;

(iii) the particulars of any orders currently in force between the parties;

(iv) whether there has been a breach of a previous order by either party to the case;

(v) whether the respondent or the respondent’s lawyer has been told of the intention to make the application;

(vi) whether there is likely to be any hardship, danger or prejudice to the respondent, a child or a third party if the order is made;

(vii) the capacity of the applicant to give an undertaking as to damages;

(viii) the nature of the damage or harm that may result if the order is not made;

(ix) why the order must be urgently made; and

(x) the last known address or address for service of the other party.

Note: The applicant must file any existing family violence order when filing the application (see rule 2.05).

5.13 Necessary procedural orders

If the court makes an order on application without notice, the order must be expressed to operate:

(a) until a time specified in the order; or

(b) if the hearing of the application is adjourned—until the date of the hearing.

Part 5.4—Hearing on papers in absence of parties

5.14 Request for hearing in absence of parties

A party applying for an interim order, enforcement order or procedural order may, in the application, ask the court to determine the application in the absence of the parties.

Note: This Part also applies to an Application in an Appeal (see rule 22.45).

5.15 Objection to hearing in absence of parties

If a respondent objects to an application being determined by the court in the absence of the parties:

(a) the respondent must notify the court and the other party, in writing, of the objection at least 7 days before the date fixed for the hearing; and

(b) the parties must attend on the first court date for the application.

Note: A notice under this rule must comply with rule 24.01.

5.16 Court decision to not proceed in absence of parties

Despite parties consenting to a hearing being held in their absence, the court may postpone or adjourn the application and direct the Registry Manager:

(a) to fix a new date for hearing the application; and

(b) to notify the parties that they are required to attend court for the hearing.

5.17 Procedure in hearing in absence of parties

(1) If the application is to be determined in the absence of the parties, each party must file, at least 2 days before the date fixed for hearing the application:

(a) a list of documents to be read by the court; and

(b) a supporting submission.

(2) A supporting submission must:

(a) state the reasons why the orders sought by that party should be made;

(b) refer to any material in a document filed with the application by the page number of the document, and should not repeat the text of that material;

(d) have all paragraphs consecutively numbered;

(e) be signed by the party or the lawyer who prepared the submission; and

(f) include the signatory’s name, telephone number, facsimile number (if any) and e‑mail address (if any) at which the signatory can be contacted.

Part 5.5—Postponement of interim hearing

5.18 Administrative postponement of interim hearing

(1) If the parties agree that the hearing of an interim application should not proceed on the date fixed for the hearing, the parties may request the Registry Manager to postpone it.

(2) A request must:

(a) be in writing;

(b) specify why it is appropriate to postpone the hearing;

(d) be signed by each party or the party’s lawyer; and

(e) be received by the Registry Manager no later than 12 noon on the day before the date fixed for the hearing.

(3) If a request is made, the Registry Manager must tell the parties:

(a) that the event has been postponed; and

(b) the date to which it has been postponed.

Part 5.6—Application for certain orders

5.19 Application for suppression or non‑publication order

An applicant for an order to suppress publication of a judgment must file an affidavit that sets out evidence relating to the following:

(a) the public interest in suppressing or not suppressing publication;

(b) why further anonymisation of the judgment would not be sufficient;

(d) whether publication should be suppressed in one medium or in all media;

(e) whether a summary of the judgment should be made publicly available if publication of the judgement is suppressed;

(f) one or more of the grounds, mentioned in subsection 102PF(1) of the Act, on which the application is made.

Note: The Court anonymises all judgments in accordance with the requirements of section 121 of the Act.

Chapter 6—Parties

Summary of Chapter 6

Chapter 6 sets out who are the necessary parties to a case and how a person becomes, or ceases to be, a party or a case guardian.

The rules in Chapter 1 relating to the court’s general powers apply in all cases and override all other provisions in these Rules.

A word or expression used in this Chapter may be defined in the dictionary at the end of these Rules.

Part 6.1—General

6.01 Parties

A party includes the following:

(a) an applicant in a case;

(b) an appellant in an appeal;

(d) an intervener in a case.

Note 1: An independent children’s lawyer is not a party to a case but must be treated as a party (see rule 8.02).

Note 2: Pre‑action procedures must be complied with by all prospective parties under rule 1.05.

6.02 Necessary parties

(1) A person whose rights may be directly affected by an issue in a case, and whose participation as a party is necessary for the court to determine all issues in dispute in the case, must be included as a party to the case.

Example: If a party seeks an order of a kind mentioned in section 90AE or 90AF of the Act, a third party who will be bound by the order must be joined as a respondent to the case.

(2) If an application is made for a parenting order, the following must be parties to the case:

(a) the parents of the child;

(b) any other person in whose favour a parenting order is currently in force in relation to the child;

(c) any other person with whom the child lives and who is responsible for the care, welfare and development of the child;

(d) if a State child order is currently in place in relation to the child—the prescribed child welfare authority.

(3) If a person mentioned in subrule (2) is not an applicant in a case involving the child, that person must be joined as a respondent to the application.

Note 1: The court may dispense with compliance with a rule (see rule 1.12).

Note 2: Pre‑action procedures must be complied with by all prospective parties under rule 1.05.

Part 6.2—Adding and removing a party

6.03 Adding a party

(2) A party may add another party after a case has started by amending the application or response to add the name of the party.

(3) A party who relies on subrule (2) must:

(a) file an affidavit setting out the facts relied on to support the addition of the new party, including a statement of the new party’s relationship (if any) to the other parties; and

(b) serve on the new party:

(i) a copy of the application, amended application, response or amended response; and

(ii) the affidavit mentioned in paragraph (a); and

(iii) any other relevant document filed in the case.

Note 1: For amendment of an application, see Division 11.2.2.

Note 2: If a Form is amended after the first court date, the Registry Manager will set a date for a further procedural hearing (see subrule 11.10(3)).

Note 3: Pre‑action procedures must be complied with by all prospective parties under rule 1.05.

6.04 Removing a party

A party may apply to be removed as a party to a case.

Note: Rule 5.01 sets out the procedure for making an Application in a Case.

6.05 Intervention by a person seeking to become a party

If a person who is not a party to a case (other than a person to whom rule 6.06 applies) seeks to intervene in the case to become a party, the person must file:

(a) an Application in a Case; and

(b) an affidavit:

(i) setting out the facts relied on to support the application, including a statement of the person’s relationship (if any) to the parties; and

(ii) attaching a schedule setting out any orders that the person seeks if the court grants permission to intervene.

Note: Part IX of the Act deals with intervention in a case. Once a person has, by order or under rule 6.06, intervened in a case, the person becomes a party with all the rights and obligations of a party (see subsections 91(2) and 91A(4), paragraph 91B(2)(b) and subsections 92(3) and 92A(3) of the Act).

6.06 Intervention by a person entitled to intervene

(1) This rule applies if the Attorney‑General, or any other person who is entitled under the Act to do so without the court’s permission, intervenes in a case.

(2) The person intervening must file:

(a) a Notice of Intervention by Person Entitled to Intervene; and

(b) an affidavit:

(i) stating the facts relied on in support of the intervention; and

(ii) attaching a schedule setting out the orders sought.

Note: The following are examples of when a person is entitled under the Act to intervene in a case without the court’s permission:

(a) subsection 79(10) authorises a creditor of a party to a case who may not be able to recover his or her debt if an order is made under section 79, and a person whose interests would be affected by an order under section 79, to become a party to the case;

(aa) subsection 90SM(10) authorises a creditor of a party to a case who would not be able to recover a debt if an order is made under section 90SM of the Act, a party to a de facto relationship or marriage with a party to a case, a party to certain financial agreements and a person whose interests would be affected by the making of an order to become parties to the case;

(b) section 91 of the Act and section 78A of the Judiciary Act 1903 authorise the Attorney‑General to intervene in a case;

(c) section 92A of the Act authorises the people mentioned in subsection 92A(2) to intervene in a case without the court’s permission;

(d) section 145 of the Assessment Act authorises the Child Support Registrar to intervene in a case.

(3) On the filing of a Notice of Intervention by Person Entitled to Intervene, the Registry Manager must fix a date for a procedural hearing.

(4) The person intervening must give each other party written notice of the procedural hearing.

6.07 Notice of constitutional matter

(1) If a party is, or becomes, aware that a case involves a matter that:

(a) arises under the Constitution or involves its interpretation, within the meaning of section 78B of the Judiciary Act 1903; and

(b) is a genuine issue in the case;

the party must give written notice of the matter to the Attorneys‑General of the Commonwealth, and each State and Territory, and to each other party to the case.

(2) The notice must state:

(a) the nature of the matter;

(b) the issues in the case;

(d) the facts relied on to show that section 78B of the Judiciary Act 1903 applies.

Note: Section 78B of the Judiciary Act 1903 provides that once a court becomes aware that a case involves a matter referred to in that section, it is the court’s duty not to proceed to determine the case unless and until it is satisfied that notice of the case has been given to the Attorneys‑General of the Commonwealth and of the States and Territories.

Part 6.3—Case guardian

6.08A Interpretation

In this Part:

a manager of the affairs of a party includes a person who has been appointed, in respect of the party, a trustee or guardian under a Commonwealth, State or Territory law.

6.08 Conducting a case by case guardian

(1) A child or a person with a disability may start, continue, respond to, or seek to intervene in, a case only by a case guardian.

(2) Subrule (1) does not apply if the court is satisfied that a child understands the nature and possible consequences of the case and is capable of conducting the case.

Note 1: For service on a person with a disability, see rule 7.09.

Note 2: If a case is started by a child or person with a disability without a case guardian, the court may appoint a case guardian to continue the case.

6.09 Who may be a case guardian

A person may be a case guardian if the person:

(a) is an adult;

(b) has no interest in the case that is adverse to the interest of the person needing the case guardian;

(d) has consented to act as the case guardian.

6.10 Appointment, replacement or removal of case guardian

(1) A person may apply for the appointment, replacement or removal of a person as the case guardian of a party.

Note 1: Chapter 5 sets out the procedure for making an Application in a Case.

Note 2: An application in relation to a case guardian may be made by a party or a person seeking to be made the case guardian or by a person authorised to be a case guardian.

(2) A person who is a manager of the affairs of a party is taken to be appointed as the case guardian of the party if the person has filed:

(a) a notice of address for service; and

(b) an affidavit which:

(i) provides evidence that the person has been appointed manager of the affairs of the party; and

(ii) states that the person consents to being appointed as the case guardian of the party.

6.11 Attorney‑General may nominate case guardian

(1) If in the opinion of the court a suitable person is not available for appointment as a case guardian of a person with a disability, the court may request that the Attorney‑General nominate, in writing, a person to be a case guardian.

(2) A person nominated by the Attorney‑General to be a case guardian of a person with a disability is taken to be appointed as such if the person files:

(a) a consent to act in relation to the person with a disability;

(b) a copy of the written nomination of the person as a case guardian; and

Note: A consent to act must comply with subrule 24.01(1).

6.12 Notice of becoming case guardian

A person appointed as a case guardian of a party must give written notice of the appointment to each other party and any independent children’s lawyer in the case.

Note: The case guardian may also need to file a Notice of Address for Service (see rules 8.05 and 8.06).

6.13 Conduct of case by case guardian

(1) A person appointed as the case guardian of a party:

(a) is bound by these Rules;

(b) must do anything required by these Rules to be done by the party;

(d) if seeking a consent order (other than an order relating to practice or procedure), must file an affidavit setting out the facts relied on to satisfy the court that the order is in the party’s best interests.

(2) The duty of disclosure applies to a case guardian for a child and a person with a disability.

Note 1: The court may order a case guardian to pay costs.

Note 2: Rule 13.01 sets out the elements of the duty of disclosure.

6.14 Costs of case guardian

The court may order the costs of a case guardian to be paid:

(a) by a party; or

(b) from the income or property of the person for whom the case guardian is appointed.

Part 6.4—Progress of case after death

6.15 Death of party

(1) This rule applies to a property case or an application for the enforcement of a financial obligation.

(2) If a party dies, the other party or the legal personal representative must ask the court for procedural orders in relation to the future conduct of the case.

(3) The court may order that the legal personal representative of the deceased person be substituted for the deceased person as a party.

Note 1: The court may make other procedural orders, including that a person has permission to intervene in the case (see rules 1.12 and 6.05).

Note 2: For the effect of the death of a party in certain cases, see subsections 79(1A), 79(8), 79A(1C), 90SM(2), 90SM(8), 90SN(5), 90UM(8) and 105(3) of the Act.

Part 6.5—Progress of a case after bankruptcy or personal insolvency agreement

6.16 Interpretation

In this Part:

bankruptcy proceedings means proceedings under the Bankruptcy Act, in the Federal Court or the Federal Circuit Court, in relation to:

(a) the bankruptcy of a relevant party; or

(b) a relevant party’s capacity as a debtor subject to a personal insolvency agreement.

relevant case means any of the following:

(a) a pending case under section 66G, 66S, 74, 78, 79, 79A, 83, 90SE, 90SL, 90SM or 90SN of the Act;

(b) a pending case under Division 4 or 5 of Part 7 of the Assessment Act;

relevant party means a person who is:

(a) a party to a marriage or de facto relationship; and

(b) a party to a relevant case in relation to that marriage or de facto relationship.

Note: The following terms are defined in the Act:

· bankruptcy trustee (subsection 4(1))

· debtor subject to a personal insolvency agreement (section 5)

· trustee, in relation to a personal insolvency agreement (subsection 4(1)).

6.17 Notice of bankruptcy or personal insolvency agreement

(1) If a relevant party is also a bankrupt or a debtor subject to a personal insolvency agreement, that party must notify:

(a) all other parties to the relevant case, in writing, about the bankruptcy or personal insolvency agreement;

(b) the bankruptcy trustee or the trustee of the personal insolvency agreement, as the case may be, about the relevant case in accordance with rule 6.18; and

(2) A party may apply for procedural orders for the future conduct of the case.

6.18 Notice under paragraph 6.17(1)(b)

For paragraph 6.17(1)(b), notice to a bankruptcy trustee or a trustee of a personal insolvency agreement must:

(a) be in writing;

(b) be given within 7 days, or as soon as practicable, after the date on which the party becomes both:

(i) a relevant party; and

(ii) a bankrupt or debtor;

(c) attach a copy of the application starting the relevant case, response (if any), and any other relevant documents; and

(d) state the date and place of the next court event in the relevant case.

6.19 Notice under paragraph 6.17(1)(c)

For paragraph 6.17(1)(c), notice to the court must:

(a) be in writing;

(b) be given within 7 days, or as soon as practicable, after the date on which the party becomes both:

(i) a relevant party; and

(ii) a bankrupt or debtor; and

6.20 Notice of bankruptcy proceedings

(1) If a relevant party is a party to bankruptcy proceedings the party must give notice of the bankruptcy proceedings, in accordance with subrule (2), to:

(a) the court in which the relevant case is pending; and

(b) the other party (or parties) to the case.

(2) The notice must:

(a) be in writing;

(b) be given within 7 days, or as soon as practicable, after the date on which the party becomes a party to bankruptcy proceedings; and

6.21 Notice of application under section 139A of the Bankruptcy Act

(1) If the bankruptcy trustee of a bankrupt party to a marriage or de facto relationship has applied under section 139A of the Bankruptcy Act for an order under Division 4A of Part VI of that Act, and the trustee knows that a relevant case in relation to the bankrupt party is pending in a court exercising jurisdiction under the Act, the trustee must notify:

(a) the court exercising jurisdiction under the Act in the relevant case, in accordance with subrule (2); and

(b) if the bankruptcy trustee’s application relates to an entity other than the other party to the marriage or de facto relationship—the other party to the marriage or de facto relationship, in accordance with subrule (3).

(2) For paragraph (1)(a), notice to the court must:

(a) be in writing;

(b) be given within 7 days, or as soon as practicable, after the bankruptcy trustee makes the application under section 139A of the Bankruptcy Act; and

(3) For paragraph (1)(b), notice to the other party to the marriage or de facto relationship must:

(a) be in writing;

(b) be given within 7 days, or as soon as practicable, after the bankruptcy trustee makes the application under section 139A of the Bankruptcy Act;

(c) attach a copy of the application, other initiating process and any other relevant documents in the application under section 139A of the Bankruptcy Act; and

(d) state the date and place of the next court event in the proceedings under section 139A of the Bankruptcy Act.

6.22 Official name of trustee

(1) If a bankruptcy trustee or a trustee of a personal insolvency agreement is added as a party to a relevant case, the trustee must be added using the prescribed official name of the trustee.

(2) In subrule (1):

prescribed official name of the trustee has the meaning given by:

(a) for a bankruptcy trustee—subsection 161(2) of the Bankruptcy Act; and

(b) for a trustee of a personal insolvency agreement—subsection 219(2) of the Bankruptcy Act.

Chapter 7—Service

Summary of Chapter 7

Chapter 7 sets out the rules for serving documents and proving service. The rules in this chapter apply only to the service of documents in Australia and non‑convention countries. The Regulations deal with service in countries that are party to certain conventions. If there is an inconsistency between the Regulations and these Rules, the Regulations prevail (see subsection 125(3) of the Act).

When a court determines a case, the judicial officer must be satisfied that all the documents filed that are to be relied on in the case have been served or otherwise brought to the attention of the other parties to the case.

The rules in Chapter 1 relating to the court’s general powers apply in all cases and override all other provisions in these Rules.

A word or expression used in this Chapter may be defined in the dictionary at the end of these Rules.

Part 7.1—General

7.01A Application

This Chapter does not apply to service of a document in a foreign country that is a party to a convention to which Australia is also a party regarding legal proceedings in civil and commercial matters.

Note: Regulation 12 of the Regulations deals with service of documents in convention countries.

7.01 Service

Service of a document may be carried out by special service (see Part 7.2) or ordinary service (see Part 7.3) unless otherwise required by a legislative provision.

Note: Certain applications must have other documents served with them. For example, an Initiating Application (Family Law), when served, must be accompanied by the brochure mentioned in rule 2.03; when a subpoena is served, the witness must be paid conduct money.

7.02 Court’s discretion regarding service

(1) A court may find that a document has been served or that it has been served on a particular date, even though these Rules or an order have not been complied with in relation to service.

Note: Rule 7.17 also sets out when a document is taken to have been served.

(2) The court may order a party, or a person applying to intervene in a case under rule 6.05, to serve a document or give written notice of a matter or case to a person specified in the order.

7.03 Service of documents

A person must serve a document in the manner set out in Table 7.1.

Table 7.1 Service of documents

Item	Document	Form of service
1	Initiating Application (Family Law)	Special service
3	Application in a Case fixing an enforcement hearing	Special service
4	Application for Divorce	Special service
5	A subpoena, or a copy of a subpoena, required to be served under rule 15.22 or 26B.17	The manner of service required by that rule
6	Application—Contravention	Special service by hand
7	Application—Contempt	Special service by hand
8	Document mentioned in item 3, 4, 5 or 6 of Table 2.2 in rule 2.02 that must be filed with a Form mentioned in this Table	The form of service set out in this Table for that Form
9	Brochure required by these Rules to be served with a Form mentioned in this Table (see rules 2.03 and 4.13 and subrules 15.22(1), 20.11(3) and 26B.17(1))	The form of service set out in this Table for that Form
10	Order made on application without notice (see rule 5.12)	Special service
12	Document that is not required to be served by special service. For example: · an Application in a Case (other than an Application in a Case mentioned in item 3) and any document filed with it · a document filed after a case is started · a notice required to be given under these Rules	Ordinary service

7.04 Service of filed documents

(1) A document that is filed must be served on each person to be served:

(a) as soon as possible after the date of filing and within 12 months after that date; or

(b) if a provision elsewhere in these Rules specifies a time for service—within the specified time.

Note: If a document is not served within the time required, service after that time is ineffective unless the court otherwise orders (see rules 1.12, 7.02 and 11.02).

(1A) A person who serves a document filed by electronic communication must:

(a) if the Registry Manager has sent the person who filed the document a communication recording the date of filing—ensure that a copy of the communication is served; or

(b) in any other case—write on the front of the served copy of the document the date of filing.

(2) Despite subrule (1) and rule 7.03, the following documents do not have to be served on any other party:

(a) a joint application;

(b) an application without notice;

(d) a document signed by all parties;

(e) an affidavit seeking the issue, without notice, of an Enforcement Warrant under rule 20.16 or a Third Party Debt Notice under rule 20.32.

Note: A draft consent order signed by all parties does not have to be served on the other parties to the application. However, if an order is sought affecting a superannuation interest, it must be served on the trustee of the superannuation fund in which that interest is held (see rule 10.16).

(3) If a document or notice is served on or given to a party under these Rules, a copy of the document or notice must also be served on or given to any independent children’s lawyer.

(4) For subrule (1):

each person to be served, for a case, includes:

(a) all parties to the case;

(b) any independent children’s lawyer; and

Part 7.2—Special service

Note: Special service of a document may be performed by delivering the document:

· to the person to be served by hand (see rule 7.06) or by post or electronic communication (see rule 7.07); or

· if a lawyer representing the person undertakes, in writing, to accept service of the document, by delivering it to the person’s lawyer (see rule 7.08).

7.05 Special service

A document that must be served by special service must be personally received by the person served.

Note: For proof of service, see Part 7.4.

7.06 Special service by hand

(1) A document to be served by hand must be given to the person to be served (the receiver).

(2) If the receiver refuses to take the document, service occurs if the person serving the document:

(a) places it down in the presence of the receiver; and

(b) tells the receiver what it is.

(3) A party must not serve another party by hand but may be present when service by hand occurs.

7.07 Special service by post or electronic communication

(1) A document may be served on a person in Australia by sending a copy of it to the person’s last known address by post.

(2) A document may be served on a person in Australia by sending it to the person by electronic communication.

(3) A person serving a document by post or electronic communication must include with the document:

(a) an Acknowledgement of Service for the person served to sign; and

(b) for service by post within Australia—a stamped self‑addressed envelope.

Note: Subrule 24.07(3) does not apply to an Acknowledgement of Service. If an applicant wants to prove service by electronic communication (other than by facsimile), the applicant must still produce a signed Acknowledgement of Service. This means that the person served will need to print out and sign a hard copy of the Acknowledgement of Service and arrange for the signed copy to be returned to the applicant in a form in which the applicant is able to identify the signature on the signed copy as that of the person served (see note to rule 7.14).

7.08 Special service through a lawyer

A document is taken to be served by special service on a person if:

(a) a lawyer representing the person agrees, in writing, to accept service of the document for the person; and

(b) the document is served on the lawyer in accordance with rule 7.06 or 7.07.

7.09 Special service on person with a disability

(1) A document that is required to be served by special service on a person with a disability, must be served:

(a) on the person’s case guardian;

(b) on the person’s guardian appointed under a State or Territory law; or

(2) For paragraph (1)(c), the person in charge of a hospital, nursing home or other care facility is taken to have the care of a person who is a patient in the hospital, nursing home or facility.

Note: If a person with a disability wants to start, continue or respond to, or seek to intervene in, a case, the person may do so through a case guardian (see rule 6.08).

7.10 Special service on a prisoner

(1) A document that is required to be served by special service on a prisoner must be served by special service on the person in charge of the prison.

(2) At the time of service of an Application, Subpoena or Notice of Appeal on a prisoner, the prisoner must be informed, in writing, about the requirement to attend by electronic communication under rule 5.07, subrule 12.12(4) or rule 22.40 (whichever is applicable).

7.11 Special service on a corporation

A document that is required to be served by special service on a corporation must be served in accordance with section 109X of the Corporations Act 2001.

Note: A subpoena must be served on the proper officer or other person entitled to accept service of a subpoena for a corporation (see subrule 15.17(4)).

Part 7.3—Ordinary service

7.12 Ordinary service

If special service of a document is not required, the document may be served on a person:

(a) by any method of special service;

(b) if the person has given an address for service:

(i) by delivering it to the address in a sealed envelope addressed to the person;

(ii) by sending it to the address by post in a sealed envelope addressed to the person; or

(iii) by sending it to the facsimile or e‑mail address stated in the address for service by electronic communication addressed to the person (see rule 7.16);

(i) by handing it to the person;

(ii) by delivering it to the person’s last known address or place of business in a sealed envelope addressed to the person; or

(iii) by sending it by post in a sealed envelope addressed to the person at the person’s last known address or place of business;

(d) if a lawyer representing the person agrees, in writing, to accept service of the document, by sending it to the lawyer; or

(e) if the person’s address for service includes the number of a lawyer’s document exchange box, by delivering it in a sealed envelope, addressed to the lawyer at that box address, to:

(i) that box; or

(ii) a box provided at another branch of the document exchange for delivery of documents to the box address.

Part 7.4—Proof of service

7.13 Proof of service

(1) Service of an application is proved:

(a) by filing an Affidavit of Service;

(b) by the respondent filing a Notice of Address for Service or a Response; or

(c) if service was carried out by giving the document to a lawyer—by filing an Acknowledgement of Service that has been signed by the lawyer.

(2) Service of any other document is proved by filing an Affidavit of Service.

7.14 Proof of special service

(1) This rule applies if a document is required to be served by special service and the applicant seeks to prove service by way of affidavit.

(2) If service was by post or electronic communication, service is proved by:

(a) attaching to an Affidavit of Service, an Acknowledgement of Service signed by the respondent; and

(b) evidence identifying the signature on the Acknowledgement of Service as the respondent’s signature.

Note: If a person serving a document seeks to prove service under this rule, an Acknowledgment of Service must be signed by the person served with the document. However, if the Affidavit of Service with the Acknowledgement of Service is filed by electronic communication, subrule 24.07(4) applies to the original affidavit and the signed acknowledgment.

7.15 Evidence of identity

(1) A statement by a person of the person’s identity, office or position is evidence of the identity, the holding of the office or position.

(2) Another person may give evidence about the identity, office or position of a person served.

Example: A person may give evidence about the identity of another person by identifying:

(a) the signature of the person served on the Acknowledgment of Service;

(b) the person served from a photograph; or

Part 7.5—Other matters about service

7.16 Service by electronic communication

(1) Service of a document may be carried out by facsimile only if the total number of pages (including the cover page) to be transmitted:

(a) is not more than 25; or

(b) if the person on whom the document is to be served has first agreed to receiving more than 25 pages—is not more than the number of pages agreed to be transmitted.

(2) A document served by electronic communication must include a cover page stating:

(a) the sender’s name and address;

(b) the name of the person to be served;

(d) the total number of pages, including the cover page, transmitted;

(e) that the transmission is for service of court documents;

(f) the name and telephone number of a person to contact if there is a problem with transmission; and

(g) a return electronic address.

7.17 When service is taken to have been carried out

A document is taken to have been served:

(a) on the date when service is acknowledged;

(b) if served by post to an address in Australia—on the third day after it was posted;

(d) on a date fixed by the court.

7.18 Service with conditions or dispensing with service

(1) A party who is unable to serve a document may apply, without notice, for an order:

(a) to serve the document in another way; or

(b) to dispense with service of the document, with or without conditions.

(2) The factors the court may have regard to when considering an application under subrule (1) include:

(a) the proposed method of bringing the document to the attention of the person to be served;

(b) whether all reasonable steps have been taken to serve the document or bring it to the notice of the person to be served;

(c) whether the person to be served could reasonably become aware of the existence and nature of the document by advertisement or another form of communication that is reasonably available;

(d) the likely cost of service; and

(e) the nature of the case.

(3) If the court orders that service of a document is:

(a) dispensed with unconditionally; or

(b) dispensed with on a condition that is complied with;

the document is taken to have been served.

Note: An application under this rule is made by filing an Application in a Case and an affidavit (see rules 5.01 and 5.02).

Part 7.6—Service in non‑convention country

7.19 Service in non‑convention country

(1) A person may serve a document on a person in a non‑convention country:

(a) in accordance with the law of the non‑convention country; or

(b) if the non‑convention country permits service of judicial documents through the diplomatic channel—through the diplomatic channel.

(2) A person seeking to serve a document in a non‑convention country through the diplomatic channel must:

(a) request the Registry Manager, in writing, to arrange service of the document under this Part; and

(b) lodge 2 copies of each document to be served, translated, if necessary, into an official language of that country.

(3) If the Registry Manager receives a request under subrule (2), the Registry Manager must:

(a) seal the documents to be served; and

(b) send to the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade:

(i) the sealed documents; and

(ii) a written request that the documents be sent to the government of the non‑convention country for service.

7.20 Proof of service in non‑convention country

(1) This rule applies if:

(a) a document is sent to the Secretary of the Attorney‑ General’s Department for service on a person in a non‑convention country; and

(b) an official certificate or declaration by the government or court of the country, stating that the document has been personally served, or served in another way under the law of the country, is sent to the court.

(2) The certificate or declaration is proof of service of the document and, when filed, is a record of the service and has effect as if it were an affidavit of service.

Note: If service cannot be carried out under this rule, the applicant may apply for an order dispensing with service (see rule 7.18).

Chapter 8—Right to be heard, address for service and submitting notices

Summary of Chapter 8

Chapter 8 sets out rules about:

· the people who may be heard by the court and the requirements for their address for service; and

· submitting notices; and

· the appointment of an independent children’s lawyer; and

· lawyer’s conflict of interest and ceasing to act.

The rules in Chapter 1 relating to the court’s general powers apply in all cases and override all other provisions in these Rules.

A word or expression used in this Chapter may be defined in the dictionary at the end of these Rules.

Part 8.1—Right to be heard and representation

8.01 Right to be heard and representation

(1) A person (other than a corporation or authority) who is entitled to be heard in a case may conduct the case on the person’s own behalf or be represented by a lawyer.

(2) A corporation or authority that is entitled to be heard in a case may be represented by a lawyer, or an officer of the corporation or authority.

Note 1: For the right of a lawyer to appear in a court exercising jurisdiction under the Act, see Part VIIIA of the Judiciary Act 1903.

Note 2: A party may apply to appear at a hearing or trial by electronic communication (see rules 5.06 and 16.05).

Note 3: A party is not entitled to be represented by a person who is not a lawyer unless the court otherwise orders. The court will give permission for representation by a person other than a lawyer only in special circumstances.

8.02 Independent children’s lawyer

(1) A party may apply for the appointment or removal of an independent children’s lawyer by filing an Application in a Case.

Note: A party may ask for a procedural order orally (see paragraph (h) of item 3 of Table 11.1 in rule 11.01).

(2) If the court makes an order for the appointment of an independent children’s lawyer:

(a) it may request that the representation be arranged by a legal aid body that is a relevant authority within the meaning of subsection 116C(5) of the Act; and

(b) it may order that the costs of the independent children’s lawyer be met by a party.

Note: Section 68L of the Act provides for the independent representation of children.

(3) A person appointed as an independent children’s lawyer:

(a) must file a Notice of Address for Service;

(b) must comply with these Rules and do anything required to be done by a party; and

(4) If an independent children’s lawyer is appointed, the parties must conduct the case as if the independent children’s lawyer were a party.

(5) The appointment of an independent children’s lawyer ceases:

(a) when the Initiating Application (Family Law) is determined or withdrawn; or

(b) if there is an appeal—when the appeal is determined or withdrawn.

Note 1: If a document or notice is served on or given to a party under these Rules, the document or notice must also be served on or given to any independent children’s lawyer (see subrule 7.04 (4)).

Note 2: This rule applies unless the court orders otherwise (see rule 1.12).

8.03 Lawyer—conflicting interests

A lawyer acting for a party in a case must not act in the case for any other party who has a conflicting interest.

Note: This rule does not purport to set out all the situations in which a lawyer may not act for a party.

8.04 Lawyer—ceasing to act

(1) A lawyer may cease to act for a party:

(a) by serving on the party a Notice of Ceasing to Act and, no sooner than 7 days after serving the notice, filing a copy of the notice; or

(b) with the court’s permission.

(2) If:

(a) a party’s address for service is the party’s lawyer’s address; and

(b) the lawyer ceases to act for the party;

the party’s last known residential address is the address for service until the party files a Notice of Address for Service.

Part 8.2—Address for service

8.05 Address for service

(1) A party must give an address for service if:

(a) the party files or responds to an application; or

(b) the party seeks to be heard by the court.

(2) A party must give only one address for service for each application filed.

(3) A party may give an address for service:

(a) in the first document filed by the party; or

(b) by filing a Notice of Address for Service.

(4) An address for service:

(a) must be an address in Australia where documents may be left or received by post;

(aa) must include a telephone number at which the party may be contacted; and

(b) may include a facsimile number and an address for service by electronic communication.

(5) A party may include an address for service by electronic communication only if documents sent to or from that address can be read by the computer software of each party and the court.

Note: If an address for service includes a facsimile number or an address for service by electronic communication, documents served on the person by that method are taken by the court to be served on the person on the day when the documents were transmitted to that address (see paragraph 7.17(d)).

8.06 Change of address for service

If a party’s address for service changes during a case, the party must file a Notice of Address for Service within 7 days after the change.

Note 1: A new address for service will be needed if a party:

(a) acts in person and changes address;

(b) initially acts in person and later appoints a lawyer;

(d) changes lawyers during the case.

Note 2: Until a Notice of Address for Service is filed and served, the previous address remains on the court record as the address for service and all documents will be served at that address unless subrule 8.04(2) applies.

Part 8.3—Submitting notices

8.07 Submitting notices

(1) A party who has been served with an application referred to in subrule (2), and who does not want to contest the relief sought in the application, may file a submitting notice in the approved form.

Note: A document that is filed must be served on each person to be served (see rule 7.04).

(2) The applications are the following:

(a) an Initiating Application (Family Law) seeking final orders;

(b) a Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law);

(d) a Notice of Appeal.

(3) The submitting notice must:

(a) state that the party submits to any order that the court may make; and

(b) state whether the party wants to be heard on the question of costs; and

(4) A submitting notice for a party served with an application referred to in paragraph (2)(a), (b) or (c) must be filed:

(a) before the first court date fixed under rule 4.03; or

(b) if the party was added to the case after that date—before the date for the procedural hearing set under subrule 11.10(3).

(5) A submitting notice for a party served with a Notice of Appeal must be filed within 14 days after the party was served with the Notice of Appeal.

(6) A party who has filed a submitting notice may apply to the court for leave to withdraw the notice.

(7) An application under subrule (6) must be accompanied by an affidavit stating:

(a) why the party wants to withdraw the submitting notice; and

(b) the party’s intentions in relation to the further conduct of the proceeding.

Chapter 9—Response and reply

Summary of Chapter 9

Chapter 9 sets out the procedure for:

· responding to an Initiating Application (Family Law) (known as a Response to Initiating Application (Family Law);

· responding to an Application in a Case (known as a Response to an Application in a Case); and

· replying to a Response to Initiating Application (Family Law) seeking orders in a cause of action other than one mentioned in the application (known as a Reply).

Note: A Response to Application for Divorce is used to respond to an Application for Divorce (see rule 3.04).

The rules in Chapter 1 relating to the court’s general powers apply in all cases and override all other provisions in these Rules.

A word or expression used in this Chapter may be defined in the dictionary at the end of these Rules.

Part 9.1—Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law)

9.01 Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law)

(1) A respondent to an Initiating Application (Family Law) who seeks to oppose the orders sought in the application or seeks different orders must file a Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law).

(2) A Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law) must:

(a) state the facts in the application with which the respondent disagrees;

(b) state what the respondent believes the facts to be; and

(3) In addition to the matters in subrule (2), a Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law) may:

(a) consent to an order sought by the applicant;

(b) ask that the application be dismissed; or

(4) A Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law) must not include a request for any of the following orders:

(a) a divorce order;

(b) an order that a marriage be annulled;

(d) an order under Division 4.2.3 authorising a medical procedure.

Note: If:

(a) a Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law) includes a request for orders in another cause of action; and

(b) documents would be required to be filed under rule 2.02 to support that cause of action;

the respondent must file with the Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law) the document required under rule 2.02 to be filed for that cause of action.

9.02 Filing an affidavit with Response to Initiating Application (Family Law)

A respondent must not file an affidavit with a Response to Initiating Application (Family Law) unless:

(a) responding to interim, procedural, ancillary or other incidental orders sought in the Initiating Application;

(b) seeking interim, procedural, ancillary or other incidental orders in the Response; or

9.03 Response objecting to jurisdiction

(1) A respondent seeking to object to the jurisdiction of the court:

(a) must file a Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law); and

(b) is not taken to have submitted to the jurisdiction of the court by seeking other orders in the Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law).

(2) The objection to the jurisdiction must be determined before any other orders sought in the Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law).

Part 9.2—Reply to Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law)

9.04 Applicant reply to Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law) (Reply)

An applicant must file a Reply if:

(a) in the Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law), the respondent seeks orders in a cause of action other than a cause of action mentioned in the application; and

(b) the applicant seeks:

(i) to oppose the orders sought in the Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law); or

(ii) different orders in the cause of action mentioned in the Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law).

9.04A Additional party reply to Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law), (Reply)

(1) This rule applies if, in a Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law), a respondent seeks orders against a person other than the applicant (an additional party).

(2) An additional party who seeks to oppose the orders sought in the Response to an Initiating Application (Family Law), or who seeks different orders, must file a Reply.

Part 9.3—Response to Application in a Case

9.05 Response to Application in a Case

A respondent to an Application in a Case who seeks to oppose the Application or seeks different orders must file a Response to an Application in a Case.

9.06 Affidavit to be filed with Response to an Application in a Case

(1) A respondent who files a Response to an Application in a Case must, at the same time, file an affidavit stating the facts relied on in support of the Response to an Application in a Case.

(2) Subrule (1) does not apply to a Response to an Application in a Case filed in response to an application to review an order of a Judicial Registrar or Registrar.

9.07 Affidavit in reply to Response to an Application in a Case

If:

(a) a respondent files a Response to an Application in a Case seeking orders in a cause of action other than a cause of action mentioned in the Application in a Case; and

(b) the applicant opposes the orders sought in the Response to an Application in a Case;

the applicant may file an affidavit setting out the facts relied on.

Part 9.4—Filing and service

9.08 Time for filing and service of response or reply

(1) A party may respond to an application by filing and serving a Response (and any affidavit filed with it) at least 7 days before the date fixed for the case assessment conference, procedural hearing or hearing to which the response relates.

(2) If a party wishes to file a Reply, the party must file and serve the reply as soon as possible after the response is received.

(3) All affidavits in a case started by an Application in a Case or a Response to an Application in a Case must be filed at least 2 days before the date fixed for the hearing.

Note: The affidavits to which subrule (3) applies include those affidavits that must be filed with the application or response and any affidavit by the applicant responding to the orders sought in a new cause of action in a Response to an Application in a Case.

Chapter 10—Ending a case without a trial

Summary of Chapter 10

Chapter 10 sets out how a party may resolve a case without a trial and the procedure to end a case, if agreement is reached.

The rules in Chapter 1 relating to the court’s general powers apply in all cases and override all other provisions in these Rules.

A word or expression used in this Chapter may be defined in the dictionary at the end of these Rules.

Part 10.1—Offers to settle

Note: Each party is encouraged at all times to make an offer to settle to the other party in an effort to resolve a case. This Part sets out the rules that apply to offers to settle in the Family Court. Part 10.1 contains two Divisions.

Division 10.1.1 applies to all offers to settle and provides for:

(a) how an offer is made;

(b) the form an offer is to take;

(d) the timing of acceptance or withdrawal; and

(e) what to do when an offer is accepted and a case is resolved.

Division 10.1.2 applies only to offers to settle in property cases in which an offer to settle must be made after a conciliation conference.

Division 10.1.1—General

10.01 How to make an offer

(1) A party may make an offer to another party to settle all or part of a case by serving on the other party an offer to settle at any time before the court makes an order disposing of the case.

Note: See also paragraph 117(2A)(f) and section 117C of the Act in relation to offers to settle.

(2) A party may make an offer to settle all or part of an appeal by serving on the other party an offer to settle at any time before the court makes an order disposing of the appeal.

(3) An offer to settle:

(a) must be in writing; and

(b) must not be filed.

Note: A later offer to settle has the effect of withdrawing an earlier offer (see subrule 10.03(3)).

10.02 Open and ‘without prejudice’ offer

(1) An offer to settle is made without prejudice (a without prejudice offer) unless the offer states that it is an open offer.

(2) A party must not mention the fact that a without prejudice offer has been made, or the terms of the offer:

(a) in any document filed; or

(b) at a hearing or trial.

(3) If a party makes an open offer, any party may disclose the facts and terms of the offer to other parties and the court.

(4) Subrule (2) does not apply to:

(a) an application relating to an offer; or

(b) an application for costs.

10.03 How to withdraw an offer

(1) A party may withdraw an offer to settle by serving a written notice on the other party that the offer is withdrawn.

(2) A party may withdraw an offer to settle at any time before:

(a) the offer is accepted; or

(b) the court makes an order disposing of the application or appeal to which the offer relates.

(3) A second or later offer by a party has the effect of withdrawing an earlier offer.

10.04 How to accept an offer

(1) A party may accept an offer to settle by notice, in writing, to the party making the offer.

(2) A party may accept an offer to settle at any time before:

(a) the offer is withdrawn; or

(b) the court makes an order disposing of the application or appeal.

(3) If an offer to settle is accepted, the parties must lodge a draft consent order.

Note 1: The draft consent order should set out the orders agreed to by the parties and must be signed by both parties. Once lodged, it will be considered by the court under rule 10.17. The parties may agree to the dismissal of all applications.

Note 2: Paragraph 6.1

Federal Register of Legislation - Australian Government

Primary content

Family Law Rules 2004