When dealing with family conflict, the law always encourages parties to resolve their disputes without having to resort to litigation, and there are a number of dispute resolution mechanisms available. The affected parties have the option to engage with a process of their own choosing or alternatively, can seek the assistance of the court who may refer the parties to family counselling, family dispute resolution, or other alternative family services as outlined in the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (the FLA).

There is a distinction between Family Reports and Expert Reports in Family Law proceedings.

The pandemic, self-isolation, quarantine or lock down do not stop your Family Court matter progressing. So even though you may be cooped up at home, your obligation to provide relevant disclosure is an ongoing requirement.

The duty of disclosure is onerous and can be, at times, overwhelming, especially for the party who has controlled or managed the finances throughout the marriage or relationship.