Brooke Nickerson

A look at Fairbairn v Radecki [2022] HCA 18 Had there been a breakdown of a de facto relationship? This was the question the High Court of Australia had to determine in the recent case of Fairbairn v Radecki [2022] HCA 18. Background In late 2005 or early 2006, Ms Fairbairn and Mr Radecki commenced … Read more

In the recent decision of Clayton & Bant [2020] HCA 44, the High Court of Australia considered whether a decision made by a Dubai Court precluded a party from seeking orders in the Family Court of Australia. Background Ms Clayton and Mr Bant married in the United Arab Emirates (“the UAE”) and had one child … Read more

On 5 December 2019, the Attorney-General introduced the Federal Circuit Court and Family Court of Australia Bill 2019 (“the Bill”) to reform the family law court system.  Proposed Reforms for Family Law System The Bill proposes a number of reforms to the family law court system. These reforms include:  establishing a single point of entry for federal family law matters; and   developing a common rules, forms, practices and procedures.1   … Read more

The Lighthouse Project is an initiative of the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia (“the Courts”) to better protect parties and children involved in family law proceedings who are experiencing family violence and/or other safety risks.   How does it work?  The Lighthouse Project involves the following process:  Screening  When a party files an Initiating … Read more