Service Commitments
This document outlines the service you can expect from the administrative staff of the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia. It does not relate to the work that is performed by judges or federal magistrates.
The Family Court of Australia and the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia are independent courts but cooperate to provide streamlined access to the federal family law system. The Federal Magistrates Court also deal with general federal law matters.
Our staff will:
- Be courteous, helpful and respectful to your individual needs.
- Respect your rights whether you have legal representation or not and treat all parties fairly.
- Give you prompt and responsive service.
- Respect your privacy (unless there are legal requirements to disclose information).
- Deliver services for parties and lawyers in a safe and secure environment.
- Provide information about the interests of the children in parenting matters, conciliation in property and financial disputes and where appropriate, refer you to community-based support services.
- Provide accurate up-to-date information that is clear and understandable.
- Assist, where possible, to overcome any personal barriers to a person’s dealings with the courts – such as distance, physical, hearing or visual difficulties, or non-English speaking background
Our staff cannot:
- Give you legal advice, tell you what words to use in your court papers or what to say in court.
- Tell you whether or not you should bring your case to court.
- Recommend a certain lawyer to act on your behalf.
- Tell you what the decision of the court will be.
- Interpret, change or enforce orders made by a judicial officer.
- Let you communicate with a judicial officer, other than at the hearing of your court case.
You can help by:
- Letting us know if you have any particular needs or problems (including telling us if there is any history or fear of family violence).
- Giving us complete and accurate information.
- Letting us know if you cannot keep an appointment.
- Attending any hearing unless excused by the court.
- Using the correct forms, pay the right fees and file material on time.
- Understanding that our staff cannot provide legal advice.
- Complying with the courts’ procedures and any orders made by a judge or federal magistrate.
You have a right to:
- Fair and helpful assistance.
- Have your privacy respected and information about you kept confidential (unless the law requires otherwise).
- A fair and just hearing in a safe environment.
- Timely decisions by the Court.
- Restricted access to information on the file held by the Court in relation to your proceedings.
You are responsible for
- Complying with any order, decrees and directions of the Court.
- Full and frank disclosure of information.
- Cooperating with any requests or directions of court staff.
- Behaving courteously when you are at court.
What to do if you are not happy with the services you have received
If you are not satisfied with the service, policy, practices or charges, you should speak to a staff member or their supervisor, or write to the Registry Manager, as most complaints are dealt with at a registry level. If the Registry cannot satisfy your concern, they will refer your matter to someone who can help you and will advise you accordingly. You may also email your feedback to the Courts at clientfeedback@familycourt.gov.au or customer.service@fmc.gov.a
Useful contacts
Family Law Courts National Enquiry Centre (NEC)
Phone: 1300 352 000 (except WA)*for individuals living in WA contact the Family Court of Western Australia
TTY/voice calls: Contact the National Relay Service on 133 677
For Speak & Listen calls contact 1300 555 727
International: +61 2 8892 8578
Fax: Please contact a family law court registry
Email: enquiries@familylawcourts.gov.au
NOTE:The email service cannot be used to file any court documents.
Address:
Family Law Courts
National Enquiry Centre
GPO Box 9991
Parramatta NSW 2150
Family Relationship Advice Line 1800 050 321
Teletypewriter (for hearing impaired people) 1300 720 980
Telephone Interpreter Service
131 450
Websites
www.familylawcourts.gov.au
www.familycourt.gov.au
www.fmc.gov.au
Commonwealth Courts Portal
www.comcourts.gov.au
Web-based services for clients to access information about cases before the courts.
After hours emergency service
If you have an urgent family law matter afterhours, you can contact the Courts’ after hours service on 1300 352 000.
This should only be used in emergencies such as when an urgent order is required, when there is a risk of a child being removed from Australia before the next working day, or for solicitors if there is a risk of removal or dissipation of assets before the next working day.
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* For further information or to get paper copies of this document sent to you, call 1300 352 000, or visit a family law registry near you.