11 Nov Lack of Family Law Court Judges forces Wollongong family to have matter heard in Brisbane

A Wollongong family has been forced to have their Family Court matter heard in Brisbane because of a shortage of Family Law Court judges in New South Wales. Hayley Williams, a Wollongong family lawyer, has told the ABC News: “We’ve had recent matters, urgent matters, being flicked to registries not only in Sydney but also Brisbane.” “Wherever a judge is able to hear a matter, that is where we are getting allocated dates.”
 
Ms Williams said it would be a “very expensive exercise” for her client who was involved in a parenting dispute with her former partner. “We can always instruct an agent in Brisbane, but the lawyers in Brisbane are quite expensive and also they don’t have the same knowledge and history as we do having carriage of the matter for years and years,” she said. “I think it may be unprecedented, it’s very unusual…Court dates should be allocated in a local area.” “I would like to implore the Government to seriously consider the issue of funding the family courts – this is extremely important.”
 
Family Lawyers are continuing to raise concerns about the Federal Government’s failure to replace retiring judges in a reasonable timeframe. Late last year, Attorney-General George Brandis promised to fill two vacant judge positions on the Federal Circuit Court, but those appointments have not yet been made. A spokesperson for Mr Brandis said the appointments were being progressed as a priority. “The appointment of a judge to a federal court is an important decision to which the Government gives careful consideration,” the spokesperson said. “Before making a recommendation to the Government and ultimately, the Governor-General in Executive Council, the Attorney-General has regard to a broad range of issues, including the expertise and background of potential candidates as well as consultation with relevant persons. “While this careful consideration takes time, it ensures that all judicial appointments are based on merit.”
 
In October 2015, the Government announced the appointment of four judges to the Federal Circuit Court, who commenced in November and December 2015
 
Source: ABC News 15/01/2015