



Bill home page
Table Of Contents
Next Fragment
-
Bill
- 8 Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
- 9 Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1)
- 10 Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)
- Part 1—Introduction
- Part 2—Definitions
- Part 1—Constitution
- Part 2—Jurisdiction
- Part 3—Transfer of proceedings
- Part 4—Appeals
- Part 5—Practice and procedure
- Part 6—Management and administration
- Part 1—Constitution
- Part 2—Jurisdiction
- Part 3—Transfer of proceedings
- Part 4—Appeals
- Part 5—Dispute resolution for proceedings other than proceedings under the Family Law Act 1975
- Part 6—Practice and procedure
- Part 7—Suppression and non-publication orders
- Part 8—Vexatious proceedings
- Part 9—Management and administration
- Part 1—Administration of family services
- Part 2—Miscellaneous
2016-2017-2018
The Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Presented and read a first time
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Bill 2018
No. , 2018
(Attorney-General)
A Bill for an Act relating to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, and for other purposes
Contents
Chapter 1—Introduction 2
Part 1—Introduction 2
Division 1—Preliminary 2
1............ Short title............................................................................................. 2
2............ Commencement................................................................................... 2
3............ Crown to be bound............................................................................. 3
4............ External Territories.............................................................................. 3
Division 2—Objects of this Act 4
5............ Objects of this Act.............................................................................. 4
Division 3—Simplified outline of this Act 5
6............ Simplified outline of this Act.............................................................. 5
Part 2—Definitions 7
7............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 7
Chapter 2—Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia 17
8............ Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.................................. 17
9............ Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1).............. 17
10.......... Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).............. 17
Chapter 3—Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) 19
Part 1—Constitution 19
Division 1—Constitution 19
11.......... Appointment of Judges..................................................................... 19
12.......... Judges to be assigned to particular location....................................... 19
13.......... Authorised Judges may manage classes of proceedings................... 20
14.......... Style.................................................................................................. 20
15.......... Seniority............................................................................................ 21
16.......... Oath or affirmation of allegiance and office...................................... 21
Division 2—Terms and conditions of judges 23
17.......... Remuneration.................................................................................... 23
18.......... Resignation from office..................................................................... 23
19.......... Removal from office......................................................................... 23
Division 3—Judges of 2 or more courts 24
20.......... Dual appointments............................................................................ 24
21.......... Judge also holding office of a prescribed court................................. 24
22.......... Judge also holding office of a State Family Court............................. 25
Division 4—Acting Chief Justice 26
23.......... Acting Chief Justice.......................................................................... 26
Part 2—Jurisdiction 27
Division 1—Original jurisdiction 27
24.......... Original jurisdiction.......................................................................... 27
Division 2—Appellate jurisdiction 28
25.......... Appeals from courts of summary jurisdiction in relation to family law or child support matters 28
Division 3—Associated matters 29
26.......... Jurisdiction in associated matters...................................................... 29
Division 4—Exercise of jurisdiction 30
27.......... Exercise of jurisdiction...................................................................... 30
28.......... Determination of matter completely and finally................................. 30
Division 5—Certain powers relating to matters of jurisdiction 31
29.......... Making of orders and issuing writs.................................................. 31
30.......... Contempt of court............................................................................. 31
Division 6—Administration 32
31.......... Arrangement of business.................................................................. 32
32.......... Complaints........................................................................................ 33
33.......... Protection for the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice................. 34
Part 3—Transfer of proceedings 36
34.......... Discretionary transfer of proceedings to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) 36
35.......... Rules of Court................................................................................... 37
36.......... Delegation......................................................................................... 38
Part 4—Appeals 39
37.......... Appeals to the High Court may not be brought................................. 39
Part 5—Practice and procedure 40
Division 1—General 40
38.......... Practice and procedure...................................................................... 40
39.......... Representation................................................................................... 40
Division 2—Documents filed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) 42
40.......... Filing of documents in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) 42
41.......... Seal of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) 42
42.......... Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) stamps.. 43
43.......... Writs etc............................................................................................ 43
44.......... Proceedings may be instituted by application.................................... 44
45.......... Limits on length of documents.......................................................... 44
Division 3—Conduct of proceedings 45
46.......... Place of sitting................................................................................... 45
47.......... Change of venue............................................................................... 45
47A....... Formal defects not to invalidate......................................................... 45
Division 4—Case management 46
48.......... Overarching purpose of family law practice and procedure provisions 46
49.......... Parties to act consistently with the overarching purpose................... 47
50.......... Power of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) to give directions about practice and procedure in a civil proceeding.......................................................................... 48
51.......... Chief Justice to achieve common approaches to case management with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)....................................................................................... 49
Division 5—Evidence 50
52.......... Oaths and affirmations...................................................................... 50
53.......... Swearing of affidavits etc.................................................................. 50
53A....... Orders and commissions for examination of witnesses.................... 52
Division 6—Judgments 53
54.......... Reserved judgments etc..................................................................... 53
Division 7—Common approaches with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) 54
55.......... Chief Justice to achieve common approaches with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).......................................................................................................... 54
Division 8—Rules of Court 55
56.......... Rules of Court................................................................................... 55
Part 6—Management and administration 57
Division 1—Management responsibilities of the Chief Justice 57
57.......... Management of administrative affairs of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) 57
58.......... Arrangements with other courts........................................................ 58
59.......... Arrangements with agencies or organisations................................... 59
60.......... Arrangements for sharing courtrooms and other facilities................. 60
61.......... Advisory committees........................................................................ 60
Division 2—Chief Executive Officer 62
62.......... Chief Executive Officer..................................................................... 62
63.......... Powers of Chief Executive Officer................................................... 62
Division 3—Registries and registrars 63
64.......... Registries.......................................................................................... 63
65.......... Registrars and Deputy Registrars...................................................... 63
66.......... Powers exercisable by Chief Executive Officer, Registrars and Deputy Registrars 63
67.......... Delegation......................................................................................... 66
68.......... Independence of delegates................................................................. 68
69.......... Review of power exercised by delegate............................................ 68
70.......... Oath or affirmation of office............................................................. 69
Division 4—Other officers and staff 71
71.......... Officers of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) 71
72.......... Marshal............................................................................................. 72
73.......... Delegation by Registry Managers..................................................... 73
Division 5—Miscellaneous administrative matters 74
74.......... Procedural information to be given to unrepresented parties............. 74
75.......... Annual report.................................................................................... 74
76.......... Delegation of administrative powers of Chief Justice....................... 74
77.......... Proceedings arising out of administration of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) 74
78.......... Protection of persons involved in handling etc. complaints............... 75
Chapter 4—Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) 76
Part 1—Constitution 76
Division 1—Constitution 76
79.......... Appointment of Judges..................................................................... 76
80.......... Assignment of Judges to Divisions.................................................. 76
81.......... Authorised Judges may manage classes of proceedings................... 77
82.......... Style.................................................................................................. 77
83.......... Oath or affirmation of office............................................................. 78
Division 2—Terms and conditions of serving Judges 79
84.......... Remuneration.................................................................................... 79
85.......... Leave................................................................................................. 79
86.......... Outside work.................................................................................... 79
87.......... Other terms and conditions............................................................... 80
88.......... Resignation from office..................................................................... 80
89.......... Removal from office......................................................................... 80
Division 3—Disability and death benefits 81
90.......... Certification of retired disabled Judges............................................. 81
91.......... Pensions for retired disabled Judges................................................. 81
92.......... Superannuation for retired disabled Judges....................................... 82
93.......... Death benefits................................................................................... 83
94.......... Relationship definitions..................................................................... 85
95.......... Meaning of eligible child ................................................................... 87
96.......... Appropriation.................................................................................... 88
Division 4—Judges of 2 or more courts 89
97.......... Dual appointments............................................................................ 89
Division 5—Acting Chief Judge 90
98.......... Acting Chief Judge........................................................................... 90
Part 2—Jurisdiction 92
Division 1—Original jurisdiction 92
99.......... Original jurisdiction—general........................................................... 92
100........ Original jurisdiction—family law or child support matters............... 92
101........ Original jurisdiction—Commonwealth tenancy disputes.................. 93
Division 2—Appellate jurisdiction 95
102........ Appeals from courts of summary jurisdiction in relation to family law or child support matters 95
Division 3—Associated matters 96
103........ Jurisdiction in associated matters...................................................... 96
Division 4—Exercise of jurisdiction 97
104........ General and Fair Work Divisions of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) 97
105........ Exercise of jurisdiction—open court or in Chambers........................ 98
106........ Exercise of jurisdiction...................................................................... 99
107........ Determination of matter completely and finally............................... 100
Division 5—Certain powers relating to matters of jurisdiction 101
108........ Making of orders and issue of writs............................................... 101
109........ Declarations of right........................................................................ 101
110........ Contempt of court........................................................................... 101
111........ Summary judgment......................................................................... 102
Division 6—Administration 103
112........ Arrangement of business................................................................ 103
113........ Complaints...................................................................................... 104
114........ Exercise of powers of General and Fair Work Divisions of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)..................................................................................... 105
115........ Assignment of Judges to locations or registries.............................. 106
116........ Protection for the Chief Judge and Deputy Chief Judge................. 106
Part 3—Transfer of proceedings 108
Division 1—Transfer of proceedings to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) 108
117........ Discretionary transfer of proceedings............................................. 108
118........ Rules of Court................................................................................. 109
119........ Delegation....................................................................................... 110
Division 2—Transfer of proceedings to the Federal Court 111
120........ Discretionary transfer of proceedings............................................. 111
121........ Rules of Court................................................................................. 112
Part 4—Appeals 113
122........ Appeals to the High Court may not be brought............................... 113
Part 5—Dispute resolution for proceedings other than proceedings under the Family Law Act 1975 114
Division 1—General 114
123........ This Part does not apply to proceedings under the Family Law Act 1975 114
124........ Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) to consider whether to advise people to use dispute resolution processes......................................................................................... 114
125........ Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) to advise people to use dispute resolution processes 114
126........ Duty of legal practitioners to consider whether to advise people to use dispute resolution processes 115
127........ Officers of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) to advise people about dispute resolution processes......................................................................................... 115
128........ Conciliation..................................................................................... 116
129........ Referral of question of law—dispute resolution process (other than arbitration) 116
130........ Rules of Court about dispute resolution processes.......................... 117
131........ Regulations about dispute resolution processes.............................. 117
132........ Rules of Court about costs of dispute resolution processes............ 118
133........ Rules of Court about dispute resolution processes under the Family Law Act 1975 118
134........ Consent orders................................................................................ 118
Division 2—Proceedings other than family law or child support proceedings 119
135........ Scope of Division........................................................................... 119
136........ Mediation........................................................................................ 119
137........ Arbitration....................................................................................... 120
138........ Power of arbitrator to refer question of law to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) 120
139........ Review of arbitration award on a question of law etc...................... 121
140........ Arbitration awards.......................................................................... 122
Part 6—Practice and procedure 123
Division 1—General 123
141........ Practice and procedure.................................................................... 123
142........ Representation................................................................................. 124
143........ Interrogatories and discovery.......................................................... 124
Division 2—Documents filed in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) 125
144........ Filing of documents in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) 125
145........ Seal of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) 125
146........ Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) stamps 126
147........ Writs etc.......................................................................................... 126
148........ Proceedings may be instituted by application.................................. 127
149........ Limits on length of documents........................................................ 127
Division 3—Conduct of proceedings 128
150........ Place of sitting................................................................................. 128
151........ Change of venue............................................................................. 128
152........ Determination of proceedings without a jury.................................. 128
153........ Decisions without oral hearing........................................................ 128
154........ Limits on the length of oral argument.............................................. 128
155........ Written submissions........................................................................ 129
156........ Formal defects not to invalidate....................................................... 129
Division 4—Case management 130
157........ Overarching purpose of civil practice and procedure provisions..... 130
158........ Parties to act consistently with the overarching purpose................. 131
159........ Power of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) to give directions about practice and procedure in a civil proceeding........................................................................ 132
160........ Chief Judge to achieve common approaches to case management with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1)..................................................................................... 133
Division 5—Evidence 134
161........ Oaths and affirmations.................................................................... 134
162........ Swearing of affidavits etc................................................................ 134
163........ Orders and commissions for examination of witnesses.................. 136
164........ Time limits on giving of testimony.................................................. 136
165........ Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) may question witnesses 136
166........ Evidence may be given orally or by affidavit.................................. 137
167........ Offences by witness........................................................................ 138
Division 6—Use of video links or audio links 140
168........ Testimony by video link or audio link............................................. 140
169........ Appearance of persons by video link or audio link......................... 141
170........ Making of submissions by video link or audio link........................ 141
171........ Conditions for use of video links and audio links........................... 142
172........ Putting documents to a person by video link or audio link.............. 144
173........ Administration of oaths and affirmations........................................ 144
174........ Expenses......................................................................................... 145
175........ New Zealand proceedings............................................................... 145
Division 7—Orders and judgments 146
176........ Orders............................................................................................. 146
177........ Reserved judgments etc................................................................... 146
178........ Interest up to judgment.................................................................... 146
179........ Interest on judgment........................................................................ 149
180........ Enforcement of judgment................................................................ 149
Division 8—Costs 150
181........ Costs............................................................................................... 150
182........ Security for costs............................................................................ 150
Division 9—Common approaches with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) 152
183........ Chief Judge to achieve common approaches with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) 152
Division 10—Rules of Court 153
184........ Rules of Court................................................................................. 153
185........ Documents...................................................................................... 154
186........ Service............................................................................................ 154
187........ Evidence.......................................................................................... 155
188........ Orders and judgments..................................................................... 155
189........ Costs............................................................................................... 156
190........ General............................................................................................ 156
191........ Incidental matters............................................................................ 158
Part 7—Suppression and non-publication orders 159
Division 1—Introduction 159
192........ Powers of Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) not affected 159
193........ Other laws not affected................................................................... 159
194........ This Part does not apply to proceedings under the Family Law Act 1975 159
Division 2—Suppression and non-publication orders 160
195........ Safeguarding public interest in open justice.................................... 160
196........ Power to make orders..................................................................... 160
197........ Grounds for making an order.......................................................... 160
198........ Procedure for making an order........................................................ 161
199........ Interim orders.................................................................................. 162
200........ Duration of orders........................................................................... 162
201........ Exception for court officials............................................................ 163
202........ Contravention of order.................................................................... 163
Part 8—Vexatious proceedings 164
Division 1—Introduction 164
203........ Meaning of a person acting in concert ............................................ 164
204........ Powers of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) not affected 164
Division 2—Vexatious proceedings orders 165
205........ Making vexatious proceedings orders............................................. 165
206........ Notification of vexatious proceedings orders.................................. 166
Division 3—Particular consequences of vexatious proceedings orders 168
207........ Proceedings in contravention of vexatious proceedings order......... 168
208........ Application for leave to institute proceedings.................................. 169
209........ Dismissing application for leave..................................................... 169
210........ Granting application for leave......................................................... 170
Part 9—Management and administration 171
Division 1—Management responsibilities of the Chief Judge and the Chief Executive Officer 171
211........ Management of administrative affairs of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) 171
212........ Arrangements with other courts...................................................... 172
213........ Arrangements with agencies or organisations................................. 173
214........ Arrangements for sharing courtrooms and other facilities............... 174
215........ Advisory committees...................................................................... 174
Division 2—Chief Executive Officer 176
216........ Chief Executive Officer................................................................... 176
217........ Powers of Chief Executive Officer................................................. 176
Division 3—Registries and registrars 177
218........ Registries........................................................................................ 177
219........ Registrars........................................................................................ 177
220........ Powers exercisable by Chief Executive Officer and Registrars....... 177
221........ Delegation....................................................................................... 180
222........ Independence of delegates............................................................... 182
223........ Review of power exercised by delegate.......................................... 182
224........ Oath or affirmation of office........................................................... 183
Division 4—Other officers and staff 184
Subdivision A—Officers and staff 184
225........ Officers of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) 184
226........ Sheriff............................................................................................. 184
227........ Deputy Sheriffs............................................................................... 185
228........ Marshal........................................................................................... 185
229........ Deputy Marshals............................................................................. 186
230........ Family consultants.......................................................................... 186
231........ Staff of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).. 186
Subdivision B—Provisions relating to officers and staff 186
232........ Arrangements relating to Commonwealth staff............................... 186
233........ Delegation by Registry Managers................................................... 187
234........ Authorised persons to assist the Sheriff or Deputy Sheriffs........... 187
235........ Authorised persons to assist the Marshal or Deputy Marshals....... 187
236........ Actions by or against Sheriff or Marshal........................................ 187
237........ Making arrests under this Chapter or warrants............................... 188
238........ Receivers......................................................................................... 189
Division 5—Miscellaneous administrative matters 191
239........ Procedural information to be given to unrepresented parties........... 191
240........ Annual report.................................................................................. 191
241........ Delegation of the administrative powers of the Chief Judge........... 191
242........ Proceedings arising out of administrative affairs of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)........................................................................................................ 192
243........ Protection of persons involved in handling etc. complaints............. 192
Chapter 5—Miscellaneous 193
Part 1—Administration of family services 193
244........ Chief Executive Officer has functions of family consultants........... 193
245........ Chief Executive Officer may delegate powers and functions that relate to family consultants 193
246........ Chief Executive Officer may give directions that relate to family services functions 193
247........ Chief Executive Officer may authorise officers or staff members to act as family counsellor or family dispute resolution practitioner...................................................................................... 194
Part 2—Miscellaneous 195
248........ References in other laws to a Judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia 195
249........ Regulations..................................................................................... 195
A Bill for an Act relating to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, and for other purposes
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
Chapter 2 — Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
8 Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
(1) The federal court known immediately before 1 January 2019 as the Family Court of Australia is continued in existence as the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1).
(2) The federal court known immediately before 1 January 2019 as the Federal Circuit Court of Australia is continued in existence as the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).
Note: The Parliament may create federal courts under Chapter III of the Constitution.
9 Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1)
(1) The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) is:
(a) a superior court of record; and
(b) a court of law and equity.
(2) The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) consists of the following:
(a) a Chief Justice;
(b) a Deputy Chief Justice;
(c) such Senior Judges and other Judges as from time to time hold office in accordance with this Act.
10 Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)
(1) The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) is:
(a) a court of record; and
(b) a court of law and equity.
(2) The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) consists of the following:
(a) a Chief Judge;
(b) a Deputy Chief Judge;
(c) such other Judges as from time to time hold office in accordance with this Act.
Chapter 3 — Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1)
Chapter 4 — Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)