The government is consulting on the Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill. 

The Justice Committee is calling for submissions on the Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill. 

The closing date for submissions is 14 September 2022. 

The Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill proposes to create a new Family Court Associate role. The Family Court Associate would be a judicial officer, enabling them to take on some work currently undertaken by judges, such as making decisions in the early stages of proceedings. The purpose of this new role is to improve outcomes and reduce court delays for people who participate in Family Court proceedings, particularly children.  

The bill would amend the Family Court Act 1980 to provide for the appointment, jurisdiction and powers, remuneration, restrictions, and immunity of Family Court Associates. The amendments to the Act would also enable Family Court Associates to transfer certain proceedings to a Family Court Judge. 

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