The Federal Circuit Court has a number of strategies for strengthening its partnerships with clients and other stakeholders, such as legal practitioners, non-government organisations, and government agencies and departments.
External stakeholders include:
- the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department
- the Commonwealth Department of Human Services
- other government departments and agencies
- child welfare authorities
- legal services commissions and community legal centres
- law societies and the Law Council of Australia
- community-based and non-government organisations, and
- the Australian Federal Police.
Relationships with these groups are managed either by the Chief Judge, other judges or the CEO and Principal Registrar on behalf of the Chief Judge.
There are several established channels through which external stakeholders may inform the Court and affect its processes and client service delivery, including the following.
Australian Institute of Family Studies
The Australian Institute of Family Studies was established under section 114B of the Family Law Act 1975 and is a forum for exchange of information and research.
Engagement with the legal profession
The Chief Judge meets regularly with the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia and the family law and general federal law committees of state, territory and regional Bars and Law Societies. In addition, the Federal Circuit Court has established relationships with bar associations, law societies and key stakeholders in regards to migration and other general federal law matters.
Local consultations and other activities for improved service delivery
Staff continue to regularly engage with numerous external groups such as local family law pathways networks, legal aid, bar associations and law societies, local practitioners and practitioners’ associations, community legal centres, family relationship centres, community organisations and support groups, child protection agencies, family violence committees and organisations, state courts, universities and police services. Staff also work with the Family Advocacy and Support Services program, with the aim of enhancing their presence in the registries.
