What are the time frames for the family law courts?

Legislative time frames for filing applications in the family or the federal circuit courts varies depending upon the nature of the application.Below are few time frames provided for different applications made before a Family Court:

Final Orders – Current matters filed for determination in the Family Court of Australia that proceed to a Final Hearing are being determined approximately (2 ½) years from the date of filing.

Appeals – To the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia are currently being determined approximately nine (9) to twelve (12) months from the date of filing of the appeal.

Consent Orders – Application for Consent Orders filed in the Family Court of Australia are currently being determined between three (3) to fourteen (14) days from the date of filing. In our experience most matters that are agreed between the parties are able to have Consent Orders made and the matter finally resolved six (6) to eight (8) weeks from the date of us receiving initial instructions.

Interim Hearings – In the Family Court of Australia an Application in a Case filed for the determination of an interim issue before a Judicial Registrar is usually listed for determination within six (6) to eight (8) weeks of the date of filing, however, it is not uncommon for matters not to be reached on the first occasion and require a further listing in order to be finally determined.

Urgent Interim Hearings – Applications in a Case filed in the Family Court of Australia seeking that the matter be listed urgently are currently being listed before a Judicial Registrar for determination between seven (7) and fourteen (14) days from the date of filing.

Extremely Urgent Interim Applications – Extremely Urgent Applications in a Case in the Family Court of Australia listed for determination before a Judicial Registrar are normally listed the same day that the Application is filed or in some instances the following day and are usually determined on the date on which the matter is listed.

Applications for Final Orders or Interim Orders in the Federal Circuit Court – Applications in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia are usually first listed before the Court six (6) to eight (8) weeks from the date of filing and are usually determined approximately 12 months from the date of filing.