Round Table Autumn 2016

ROUNDTABLEAutumn 2016

IN THIS ISSUE> Message from the president

> Lack of Court resources hit headlines

> Catherine Carew QC appointed to the Family Court of Australia

> FLPA launches new website

> Family Law Residential lead topics

> Interest hots up in Buckley Memorial Essay Prize

> Upcoming FLPA events and other events

> Dancing CEOs – in the name of Charity

> Regional Round Up

> Heads Up

ROUNDTABLE AUTUMN 20162

2016. It’s a new year. In fact it’s already March. And that means a few new things for FLPA. We’ve launched the new FLPA website and of course we have a new design of our quarterly newsletter – Round Table.

It may only be the third month of the year but it already seems too much has happened. Recently this month I had the privilege of joining the formal welcome of Justice Catherine Carew to the Family Court of Australia. Justice Carew’s appointment has been warmly received and will go some way to addressing the severe resourcing challenges the Brisbane registry of the Family Court is currently facing. A copy of my speech delivered on behalf of the members of FLPA can be read here.

A few weeks ago I travelled to Cairns for the annual FLPA in the Tropics event. This year’s theme of the ‘modern family lawyer’ created some very enjoyable and varied presentations – from Spousal Maintenance updates to Mindful Practice for Lawyers. As always Cairns turned on the heat and humidity for us too! We are organising for this same event to be presented in Townsville later this year.

As many of you know I am currently in the middle of ‘Dance rehearsals’ after being roped into joining the Women’s Legal Service ‘Dancing Ceo’s’ Gala Fundraiser to be held at the Brisbane City Hall next month. I said ‘yes’ before fully understanding just what I was getting myself in for! All proceeds from the evening will go to furthering the work of the Women’s Legal Service and many of you have already shown your support and made very generous donations to my fundraising efforts. You can learn more about the event here and if you are able to support my efforts on the night you can make a donation here.

Clarissa Rayward FLPA president

Clarissa

FOLLOW US...

www.flpa.org.au

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

JOIN FLPA’S LINKEDIN GROUP

If you're on LinkedIn, don't forget to follow FLPA's group. It's a closed group, open only to FLPA members. Click here to find the group.

FREE GIVEAWAYFLPA has some books to give away to the first member who emails [email protected] with their preference.

Australian Family Law Cases – 2000

Family Law Reports volumes 27, 28, 30, 32 & 33

Australian Child Support cases 1998 – 2003

ROUNDTABLE AUTUMN 2016 3

Lack of resourcing in the Family Court of Australia has been a contentious issue for some time and FLPA has certainly been involved over the years in trying to influence key decision makers.

Following recent media coverage, the FLPA committee has recently moved to draft a letter to the Attorney-General Senator Brandis on behalf of family law practitioners in Queensland once again highlighting our concerns as a profession.

The letter will be based on the information received from members, will clearly explain the problem to the Senator, draw on of recent facts and figures, and give some real life, tangible examples from practitioners who are, daily, practising grass roots family law in both of the Courts.

Some of the issues the letter will highlight include:

• Five years ago there were five ‘trial’ Judges sitting in Brisbane – today that number is three (including the recent appointment of Justice Carew).

• Registry statistics tell us that there are 368 pending matters in the Brisbane Registry.

Notionally therefore, each of those three Judges has over 120 pending cases in their lists.

• In Brisbane, 57% of matters are taking longer than 12 months to finalise, with the median time for a matter to reach trial being 21.5 months.

• Each of the three Brisbane trial Judges will, statistically, have a further 117 cases added to each of their lists during 2016.

To assist to reduce the current delays, it is proposed that recommendations be made to:

• Increase the number of Family Court judicial officers to hear trials in, and sitting in, Brisbane, to at least five (the levels of five years ago).

• Increase the number of appointed Federal Circuit Court Judges sitting in Brisbane.

• Appoint Judges to each Court who have a specialist Family Law background.

This is step one in a process to continue to lobby on behalf of members to improve court resource allocation. If you have any comments regarding court resources, please go to LinkedIn or email [email protected].

LACK OF COURT RESOURCES HIT HEADLINES

FLPA is extremely proud to congratulate our own board member Catherine Carew QC who has been appointed to the Brisbane Registry effective 7 March 2016. Justice Carew was a serving member of the FLPA board at the time of her Appointment. Justice Carew is well known to and well respected by our members for not only her work during her years at the Bar, but also her involvement in professional development (most recently her memorable performance during the Great Debate at the 30th Annual Family Law Residential).

Our northern members also had the pleasure meeting and hearing from Justice Carew in the days immediately following the announcement of Her Honour’s appointment at the recent “FLPA in the Tropics” one day conference in Cairns. FLPA hopes Her Honour’s appointment will have an impact on easing some of the current strain on our legal system.

CATHERINE CAREW QC APPOINTED


FLPA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE After many months in development, we are pleased to launch the new FLPA website! Check it out at www.flpa.org.au

The new website not only looks flash but it has some great new features:

• Register and pay for FLPA membership and events ONLINE!

• Prominent FIND A MEMBER details for potential clients to find you

• CASE WATCH at your finger tips• An ONLINE SHOP to buy access to recent

TWILIGHT webinars to earn CPD points• And much more. Check it out yourself!

Please update your details immediately.

As we have completely changed over the back end membership administration database, we need you to go online and confirm your member details. This will ensure your details are correctly shown for other members and potential clients. If you do not go online and check, they will not be shown at all.

To log on and check your details, please:

1. Click on Member Login (top right) using your email address.

2. REMEMBER: Your old password from the previous FLPA website will not work.

3. You will need to click Forgot Password to be emailed with a link to create a new password.

4. Accept the Terms of Use by ticking the box (once only).

5. Once logged in, go to Manage your Profile under the Members.

6. Under My Profile, click on Edit profile.7. Check your details adding as much information

as possible. Most information has come across from the old website database. Please make sure you check you have filled out your REGION. Note too that if you would like your address to be shown on the member directory, you will need to provide an address in the ADDRESS field, not just the POSTAL ADDRESS field (as this will not be displayed).

8. Upload a profile picture and a company logo. 9. IMPORTANT: If you would like your profile to

be shown in the FLPA member directory on the website, you must click into the Privacy tab and tick Show profile to others. Then click Save.

10. On My Profile, click Save.

If you have any problems or queries, please contact [email protected]. In future, all events and membership renewals will be processed online. We will give you clear instructions to get you underway. Enjoy having a look around.

Members who log on and update their details before April 3 will go into

the draw to win one of five bottles of wine/bubbles.


Delegates at the 2016 Family Law Residential will enjoy the luxury of a new venue at the Sheraton Resort and Spa on the Gold Coast.

For the first time in many years, the popular annual conference will move from the RACV Royal Pines Resort to provide delegates with variety, change of pace, and a refreshing new look.

Finding a new venue has always been difficult because of the size of the conference. The decision to move the conference followed member and delegate feedback from previous conferences.

This year’s Residential – held from 21 – 23 July – is shaping up to be a top class event, with interesting high level speakers. Speakers already confirmed include:

• Diana Bryant AO, Chief Justice Family Court of Australia

• Justice Jenny Hogan, Family Court of Australia • Pauline Tessler, Collaborative Family Lawyer,

United States of America• Andrew Griffiths, Australia’s Number 1 Small

Business Author

Due to the popularity of the Great Debate last year, this year’s Residential will bring another Great Debate, with a thought-provoking topic and an engaging and entertaining line up of debaters.

We will keep you posted in the coming months as to an exciting programme of speakers and social events, including the Residential Dinner that the Residential Planning Committee is organising for delegates.

FAMILY LAW RESIDENTIAL GRACES A NEW VENUE FOR 2016

SAVE THE DATES 21-23 JULY 2016

FLPA’s first twilight seminar and webinar presented by experienced lawyer and trustee Peter Sheehy in March has informed many members of some of the less known issues relating to selling property.

Some of the interesting lessons learnt that Peter passed on to participants included the pitfalls of not getting insurance for the transferred property and some of the issues around agent’s commission, particularly if the property is sold to a prior owner.

If you would like to hear the recording and learn about trustees, you can now buy the video on the FLPA website and accrue CPD points. Go to Webinar Shop under Members section. You will need to update your detail and obtain a new password to login (see new website story with instructions).

FIRST TWILIGHT A SUCCESS - TRUSTEES FOR SALE


In the last edition of Round Table, we launched the upcoming and inaugural Buckley Memorial Essay prize, recognising the contribution of the late Honourable Justice Neil Buckley to family law in Queensland. Co-hosted with and co-sponsored by CPPAQ, this FLPA prize is open to family law practitioners and family law undergraduate and post-graduate students.

We’ve already had significant interest from members, so if you’re thinking about it, read below and grab the competition details.

Here’s more details on what’s required to enter:

Write a minimum 5000 word original essay equivalent to standard of a peer-reviewed law journal about a thought-provoking area of family law that will add value to fellow family law practitioners.

A few examples of a topic are listed below:

1. The trial experience in family law2. Social justice in family law3. Family violence and family law4. The Paramountcy Principle in the Family Law Act 19755. The intersection of child protection and family law

Entries close at 4pm on 14 May 2016.

The winner will receive:

• $2000 cash and• a complimentary registration and accommodation to the Family Law Residential 2016.

INTEREST HOTS UP IN BUCKLEY MEMORIAL ESSAY PRIZE

CONTACT...To obtain the competition details and rules, contact FLPA committee member Dan Bottrell at [email protected].


UPCOMING FLPA EVENTS& OTHER EVENTS

WHEN: Thursday 21 July to Saturday 23 July 2016

WHERE: Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa, Gold Coast

Reserve the date and don’t miss the experience of this great conference moving to a new exciting venue! More information to come.

NATIONAL MEDIATION CONFERENCE 2016 – “THOUGHT, INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY: THE NEXT DECADE”

WHEN: Sunday 11 to Thursday 15 September 2016

WHERE: Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC)

A bi-annual event, this conference will reflect on how we innovate, educate and train practitioners across the wide spectrum from self determination to determinative processes; and show how we can become more flexible and creatively facilitate processes in response to the diverse needs of our clients to provide a future of best practice in all we do to manage our own and other people’s disputes.

DANCING CEOS – IN THE NAME OF CHARITY

On Friday 15 April, FLPA president Clarissa Rayward will be donning dancing shoes and taking to the stage all in the name of a great cause – Dancing CEOs!

Anyone who knows Clarissa knows she is always up for dancing. And she’s never been afraid of making a fool of herself in the name of charity – in this case the Women’s Legal Service Qld (WLSQ).

Last year WLSQ helped 3,700 Queensland women and their children, however, approximately 19,000 calls went unanswered. All funds raised by Dancing CEOs 2016 will help WLSQ to implement a new phone help-line which will allow the service to answer more calls from women who need a helping hand. Clarissa aims to raise $10,000. You can help by making a donation or coming to a trivia night. Clarissa’s blog and video about her efforts is a must read!

FLPA FAMILY LAW RESIDENTIAL – NEW VENUE

OTHER EVENTS...

View video


REGIONAL ROUNDUP

Cairns put on a great show for yet another successful FLPA in the Tropics on Saturday 27 February. Themed “The Modern Family Lawyer”, participants were taken to a different place with an interesting line up of informative, entertaining and challenging speakers and topics.

And there was no rest for the participants in the afternoon as they worked through a scenario and talked about mediation and arbitration.

One of the highlights of the day was the presentation by Justice Forrest – Resourcing the Family Courts – A National Priority? which put into perspective the resourcing issues currently being encountered in family law. The following panel discussion provided practitioners with practical tips on how to navigate the system given the current climate.

Other informative, entertaining and practical presentations included Catherine Carew’s spousal maintenance paper, and Clarissa Rayward’s practical tips for surviving and thriving in private practice.

Vice president Fiona Caulley’s paper on Mindful Lawyering and its benefits was very thought provoking.

FLPA IN THE TROPICS CAIRNS

HEADS UP

WIFI is now available in the practitioners’ room on level 1 of the Brisbane courts and the computers are all now networked. If there is an issue with printing, you can also print to another floor.

Don’t forget too that the password to log in to the Brisbane wireless network (WiFi) for FLPA members with laptops has changed. And remember this resource is for FLPA members ONLY.

SSID: FLPAQ Wireless Security: WPA Pre-Shared Key: FLPA2015

The password for Cairns wireless network (WiFi) remains unchanged: SSID: FLPAQ Wireless Security: WPA Pre-Shared Key: familylaw

The password for Townsville wireless network (WiFi) also remains the same: WiFi name: FLPA Password: FamilyLPA01

WIFI UPDATE

DO YOU WORRY ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS BECOMING PUBLIC?

Apply to be a silent elector

With the recent Council elections and upcoming federal elections, you may like to think about becoming a silent elector so that your personal address is kept private.

You can apply to register as a silent elector if you believe having your address on the electoral roll would put you or your family's safety at risk.

If you are granted silent elector status, only your name is shown on the publicly available electoral roll.

You, your family or even your staff may like to apply to become a silent elector by completing the silent elector form. Read more at the Australian Electoral Commission.

If you own property in your name, you may also like to apply with the Titles Office to have your personal details withheld on titles searches.

MISSING VOLUMES – PLEASE RETURN!The following volumes of Australian Family Law Cases are missing from the practitioners’ room. If you have mistakenly taken one of them back to your office, please return them to the level 2 practitioners’ room asap.

1981,1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999. Family Law Reports volumes 31 and 34 are also missing. Thank you!

CONTACT CENTRE INFORMATION

The ACCSA has a handy new website with information about

public and private contact centre waiting times and operating hours. Bookmark it for easy

access and reference. Also check out the new FLPA website for a

list of contact centres.

CHILD SUPPORT CARE ESTIMATOR

The below button takes you to the Child Support Agency’s Care Estimator and Child Support/FTB Estimator. Bookmark it for easy

access and reference.

View website

The Titles Office website for industry professionals includes:· the Land Titles Practice Manual

(how to complete and lodge land registry forms), The fee

calculator (calculates the lodgement fees payable on land registry forms), and the latest

land registry forms.

TITLES OFFICE

FLPA’s library of family law cases continues to grow in Case Watch

thanks to our army of FLPA members. Don’t forget to log in to the member section of the FLPA website to check out the

cases reviewed.

CASE WATCH

Documents

Round Table Autumn 2016