These Directions have the status of law and assist with the conduct of proceedings before the Family Court of Australia
The Court has fixed an annual national filing deadline to allow the proper and expeditious hearing of parenting disputes during the summer (Christmas) school holiday period each year. Subject to numbers being within expected limits, the Court anticipates allocating hearing dates prior to Christmas for applications filed prior to the deadline. The Court cannot guarantee that applications filed after the deadline will be fixed for hearing prior to Christmas.
Which applications:
All applications seeking parenting orders relating to the summer (Christmas) school holiday period.
Closing date for filing:
4.00 pm on the second Friday in November.
Consequences:
Applications filed after the closing date will be allocated the next available date in the usual way. That date may be in the new year.
Exceptions:
After the closing date each year, applications to abridge times and to list a matter on short notice can be made to Registry staff. The usual criteria for an urgent hearing will apply. The fact that an application relates to spending time with children during the summer (Christmas) school holiday period will not of itself justify a listing before Christmas.
THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE DIANA BRYANT
CHIEF JUSTICE
FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRALIA
DATE: 1 September 2006