News and media centre

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has today ordered the publication of details to assist in the recovery of Molly Rose NOONAN-MEDLEY, who is currently missing.

A new family law Practice Direction has been issued by the Chief Justice that applies to electronic subpoena inspection in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).

The Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Mark Dreyfus KC MP has today announced the appointment of Ms Di Simpson as a Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) (Division 1). Justice Simpson has been appointed to the Sydney registry of the Court and will commence on 3 February 2025.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) (the Court) is pleased to announce that the Commonwealth Courts Portal has been updated to permit the eFiling of documents in its appellate jurisdiction from 9 December 2024.

The Attorney-General of Tasmania, The Honourable Guy Barnett, has announced the appointment of her Honour Judge Kate Cuthbertson SC as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

The Court is pleased to announce that as of 9 December 2024 appeals will be commenced, and documents in appeals filed, on the Commonwealth Courts Portal

Lighthouse update from the Chief Justice - two years since the implementation of Lighthouse

This update provides important information about Applications for Review filed after close of filing on Friday 15 November 2024. Please be advised that an Application for Review filed on or after 15 November 2024 may not be able to be heard prior to the commencement of the Court shutdown period, being close of business, Tuesday 24 December 2024.

Registry opening hours from Wednesday 25 December 2024 to Tuesday 7 January 2025 for all Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia registries and contact information during this time.

The Chief Justice has issued Family Law Practice Direction – Defaulters’ List. The purpose of the Defaulters’ List is to ensure compliance with the rules of court, and any case management orders and directions made by a Registrar in family law or child support proceedings. The Defaulters’ List is intended to further the overarching purpose of family law practice and procedure.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (the Court) officially launched three videos, each of which is available in 12 languages (including English). The videos form part of the Court’s overarching commitment to improving access to justice for culturally and linguistically diverse people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

The Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Mark Dreyfus KC MP announced on 27 September 2024 the appointment of Ms Lisa Doust and Ms Vanessa-Jane Leishman as Judges of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).

The Courts have made a minor amendment to a large number of family law forms to introduce a 'filed in' check box option for the FCFCOA (Division 1) and the FCFCOA (Division 2).

Speaking at the No to Violence National Conference titled, Leading Radical Change: A Call to Action to End Men’s Family Violence, the Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1 and Division 2) (the Courts), the Hon William Alstergren AO, joined a chorus of experts and leaders calling for action to end family violence.

The Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Mark Dreyfus KC MP has announced the appointment of Ms Alexandra Colquhoun, Mr Gregory Shoebridge and Mr Benjamin Zipser as Judges of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) (Division 2).