Changes also affect family law (airport) watchlist applications in first and second divisions
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) has announced that it has introduced changes to the way it manages urgent initiating applications and family law (airport) watchlist applications in its first and second divisions, beginning 22 April.
With the recent changes, the court’s staff will now immediately list these two types of applications for a first return date upon receiving the filing then refer the matter to a registrar for assessment, according to a news release from the FCFCOA.
The court said its registrar will then consider the urgency request and decide if granting it is appropriate.
The court explained that these changes will enable its staff to immediately schedule these types of applications for a first return date and ensure a court date is in place while the registrar is assessing the urgency of the matter.
If the registrar chooses to grant the urgency request, the court’s staff will amend the return date in line with the registrar’s decision, the FCFCOA said.
The court noted that this procedural change will help its staff advise parties of any adjustments to the previously scheduled date or any additional steps that they should take.
The FCFCOA’s announcement explained that these changes seek to assist the court in efficiently reviewing and prioritising urgent applications filed by court users.
