The Principal Child Dispute Services is responsible for advising the Chief Justice and the Chief Executive Officer on the provision of quality child dispute services to the Court and ensuring that the services delivered by the family consultants are effective and consistent with the strategic and business objectives of the Court. The Principal also has responsibility for the development of strategic external relationships that promote and position the child dispute services of the Court within the family law framework.
Pam Hemphill
Having worked in the United Kingdom and in South Australia, primarily in the child protection, health, mental health and community sectors, Ms Hemphill joined the Court in 2000 as the Director of Court Counselling based in Adelaide. Since 2000, Ms Hemphill has held several positions in the Courts, including Acting Registry Manager in Adelaide and Melbourne, Senior Advisor, Child Dispute Services and more recently Senior Family Consultant.
Ms Hemphill has served on a wide range of court and inter-court committees. She has contributed to a number of court initiatives including the development and implementation of the Child Responsive Program in the Family Court. She has been invited to teach on numerous topics in the social sciences area. Ms Hemphill holds a Joint Honours Degree in Modern languages and Literature, a Master of Social Work, a Post Graduate Certificate in teaching and a Post Graduate Certificate of Business Management. She completed the Court’s Executive development program in 2004 and was awarded the Chief Justice’s Australia Day Achievement Award in 2004.