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Commonwealth legislation
These are the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021, which set out the procedural rules for how family law cases are conducted in Australia's federal family courts.
What this legislation does:
These Rules govern how family law disputes are brought to court, managed, and resolved. They cover everything from starting a case to final orders, appeals, and enforcement. Think of them as the "rulebook" for family court proceedings.
Key areas covered:
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Direct links to the current provisions in Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021.
Zoe has indexed the source text for search and analysis. Use the official register for the original document and download formats.
View on official registerSourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
Who it affects:
Why it matters:
These Rules replaced the old Family Law Rules 2004 and Federal Circuit Court Rules 2001 in September 2021, consolidating procedures into a single framework. They aim to ensure family disputes are resolved justly, quickly, inexpensively, and efficiently — this is the "overarching purpose" that guides how judges interpret and apply the Rules.
The Rules also impose duties on parties and their lawyers to conduct cases consistently with this purpose, including attempting settlement before litigation where appropriate.
Notable features: