18 May 2024
The Family Law Amendment Act – What you need to know.
On 6 May 2024 major changes to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), were enacted.
The changes include simplifying the factors determining the best interests of the child, eliminating the presumption of equal shared parental responsibility, and clarifying the circumstances for varying existing parenting orders.
The purpose of the amendments is to make the family law system safer and simpler, and to ensure that the best interests of children are central to the system. There is no grace period, meaning that from 6 May 2024, the amendments will apply to all new and existing parenting proceedings, except where the final hearing has already begun.
Our speakers Professor Richard Chisholm and Kate Kensell will explore the significance of these amendments.
Hosts
Professor Chisholm AM, Honorary Professor, ANU College of Law |
Professor Chisholm AM is an Honorary Professor at the ANU College of Law. He was an academic at the University of New South Wales between 1970 and 1993, and Judge of the Family Court of Australia between 1993 and 2004. Professor Chisholm was a founding council member of the Aboriginal Legal Service, served two terms on the Family Law Council, and has worked on a number of projects with the New South Wales Law Reform...
Kate Kensell, Director of Family Law, Farrar Gesini Dunn |
Kate Kensell is director of family law at Farrar Gesini Dunn, and has over 16 years of family law experience. Kate is also the general module advisor for Lexis Nexis Practical Guidance Family. Kate is passionate about helping clients who are in high conflict, complex parenting matters. She has appeared as an Independent Children’s Lawyer for over 10 years.