Family Law Rules 1984

This legislation sets out the procedural rules (the "Family Law Rules") for how cases are run in the Family Court of Australia and related courts under the Family Law Act 1975.

What it covers:

• Starting a case: Different procedures for divorce (called "principal relief") versus parenting or property disputes, including which forms to use, time limits for filing, and how to serve documents on the other party.
• Case management: Rules for directions hearings, conciliation conferences, mediation (Order 25A), and pre-trial conferences to resolve disputes efficiently and keep cases moving.
• Disclosure and evidence: Requirements for filing affidavits (sworn statements), discovering documents, exchanging financial statements (Form 17), and using expert witnesses.
• Children's matters: Special procedures for medical procedures on children, appointing separate representatives for children, and mandatory rules for notifying the court of child abuse or family violence orders.
• Enforcement: How to enforce orders for unpaid child support or maintenance, including garnishing wages, seizing property, or selling real estate (Orders 33 and 34).
• Appeals: Procedures for appealing decisions to the Full Court of the Family Court or from the Federal Magistrates Court (now the Federal Circuit Court).