Annual report [1997-98] - Family Court of Australia

The Family Court of Australia – annual report 1997-98
■ Mediation – Pathway to Agreement (required for distribution under Order 25Arule 21
of the Family Law Rules)
■ Cost of Family Law Proceedings (required for distribution under Order 38 Rule 27 of
the Family Law Rules)
■ Notice of Rights – Costs disputes (required for distribution under Order 38 rule 38(2)
■ Summary Maintenance Procedure – information for applicants (required for
distribution under Order 38 Rule 8 of the Family Law Rules)
■ Summary Maintenance Procedure – information for respondents (required for
distribution under Order 38 Rule 8 of the Family Law Rules)
■ Costs of children figures (required for distribution under Order 11 rule 5(1) and (2) of
the Family Law Rules.
The Court also provides a wide variety of general (non-prescribed) information materials
including brochures, booklets and videos (see Publications program).
Prescribed forms
There are more than 60 prescribed family law forms. These are set out in Schedule 1 to the
Family Law Rules. Printed copies are available from all registries of the Court. In the past
financial year the Court has also introduced a number of pro formas to help simplify procedures
such as applying for an exemption or waiver of a fee and the pro forma affidavit
for interim residence, contact and specific issues orders (see also Publications program).
Facilities forAccess
Freedom of Information inquiries are handled at the national, area and registry level
according to the type of information that is being requested. Section 5 of the Freedom of
Information Act affects the availability of Family Court documents that do not relate to
administrative matters. The availability of documents outside the Freedom of Information
Act is subject to the Family Law Actand Family Law Rules which generally confine access
to Court files or registry indexes to parties to particular proceedings or their representatives.
Facilities for examining documents and obtaining copies are available at Court’s registries
and offices listed in Part One. Freedom of Information inquiries should be directed to the
FOI Co-ordinator, PO Box 9991 in the city or town where the office or registry is located
Single copies of all printed materials listed above as being outside the Freedom of
Information Act can be obtained free of charge upon request from all registries of the
Court.
Privacy
The Privacy Commission did not refer any matters to the Court during the past financial
year. The Privacy Audit on the Parramatta Registry Case Files Register undertaken in the
last financial year was completed. The Commission accepted the Court’s response to the
recommendations which are being progressively implemented in all registries.
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