Family Court Rules 2002

Conferences generally

Heading: inserted, on 31 March 2014, by rule 42 of the Family Courts Amendment Rules (No 2) 2014 (LI 2014/4).

416W General rules about conferences

(1)

In proceedings under the Act, rules 174 to 176 (about conferences) do not apply except as specifically identified in this Part, and every conference must be 1 of the following kinds:

(a)

an issues conference (see rule 416X):

(b)

a settlement conference (see rule 416Y):

(c)

a directions conference (see rules 416Z and 416ZA):

(d)

a pre-hearing conference (see rule 416ZB):

(e)

a case management conference (see rule 416ZC).

(2)

When a Judge directs that a conference be held, the Judge may give the direction on such terms as the Judge thinks fit, and rule 175B(1) and (2) (about a Registrar giving notice of a conference) applies as if the conference were a judicial conference.

(3)

Parties must attend a conference if directed to do so by a Judge and parties’ lawyers may also attend.

(4)

Every conference under this Part must be presided over by a Judge.

(5)

The presiding Judge may do any of the relevant things listed in rule 175D(2) at any conference under this Part, other than at a settlement conference (except as provided in rule 416Y(5)).

(6)

A conference may be held by way of teleconference, video conference, or any other electronic means, as directed by a Judge or Registrar.

(7)

As soon as practicable after every conference, a Registrar must provide the parties with a record of all orders made and directions given by the Judge at the conference.

(8)

Rule 176 (about non-compliance with orders made and directions given at a conference) applies to every conference held under this Part as if it were a judicial conference.

Rule 416W: inserted, on 31 March 2014, by rule 42 of the Family Courts Amendment Rules (No 2) 2014 (LI 2014/4).

Rule 416W(3): replaced, on 1 July 2020, by rule 10 of the Family Court Amendment Rules 2020 (LI 2020/135).

Rule 416W(7): amended, on 1 July 2019, by rule 74 of the Family Court (Family Violence and Other Matters) Amendment Rules 2019 (LI 2019/94).