Family Court of Western Australia

The Family Court of Western Australia is a State Court that deals with Family Law.

The Court was established in 1976 under the Family Court Act 1975. In regard to family law, Western Australia is unique amongst Australian states. Family law matters in all other states are dealt with by the Family Court of Australia, which is a federal court. In Western Australia, family law matters are within the jurisdiction of a state court, the Family Court of Western Australia.

For married people who want to divorce and make arrangements for children, property and spousal maintenance, proceedings in the Family Court of Western Australia are held under the Family Law Act 1975 (Commonwealth), which is federal legislation.

For unmarried people who seek arrangements for children, property and maintenance, the Court proceedings are held under the Family Court Act of 1997 (Western Australia) which is state legilsation. In 2002, the legislation was amended to incorporate de facto relationships and their property matters. [http://www.familycourt.wa.gov.au/L/legislation.aspx?uid=3707-0960-0689-6759]

Although it is a State Court, the Family Court of Western Australia is situated in the same building as the Federal Court of Australia in Perth.

Judicial Officers

The Court is presided over by five judges, eight magistrates and two registrars.

Chief Judge

As at August 2008, the Chief Judge of the Family Court of Western Australia is Justice Stephen Thackray. He holds a dual commission in that he is also a Judge of the Appeal Division of the Family Court of Australia. [http://www.familycourt.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/FCOA/home/about/Courts_Organisation/Judges/FCOA_co_Judges_Appeal_Division]

Judges

The Honourable Justice Carolyn Elvina Martin (appointed 19 November 1996)
The Honourable Justice Julienne Penny (appointed 9 June 1999)
The Honourable Justice Jane Crisford (appointed 24 October 2006)) [http://www.familycourt.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/FCOA/home/about/Courts_Organisation/Judges/FCOA_co_Family_Court_WA]
The Honourable Justice Stephen Crooks (appointed 22 October 2007) [http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/CurrentMinistersSearch.aspx?ItemId=124332&minister=McGinty&admin=Carpenter&page=2]

Family Law Magistrates

As at August 2008, the Magistrates of the Court are: [http://www.justice.wa.gov.au/_apps/lawalmanac/CourtsBoardsTribunals.asp?uid=4175-2904-6344-4524&filterType=CState&structureID=&resourceID=&deptType=Family&contactsdir=CState&cstatedir=Family]

David Monaghan (Principal Registrar)
Christopher John Judges
Ronald Graham Fleming
Roberta Annette Andrews
Alan Moroni
Lisa Stewart
Jill Elizabeth Vander Wal
Susan Janet Duncanson

External links

* [http://www.familycourt.wa.gov.au/ Official Website]

Notes and references

Publication

* Western Australia. Family Court.(2001) "Case management guidelines and directions" Family Court of Western Australia. Perth [W.A.] : Family Court of W.A., [2001] . Effective 17 April 2001.