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FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRALIA ■ ■ ■ to develop internal and external communication campaigns outlining project activity to staff, clients and stakeholders respectively to develop Rules of Court that are fair, clear and understandable to develop a framework for the evolution of the Court processes into the 21st century recognising the changing character and needs of those SRLs (and represented parties) who appear before the Court or seek its help in the resolution of conflict The Project Team Justice John Faulks, was asked by the Chief Justice to lead the project team. Justice Faulks, with a keen interest in "justice and fairness", had previously attended the National Conference on Pro Se Litigation in Arizona, USA and reported on this to the Court. Other members of the project team consisted of representatives from the various streams of expertise within the Court such as: registry manager; manager of mediation/counselling; client services officer, deputy registrar; and registrar. This enabled individual team members to utilise their internal networks to get input and feedback on the work of the project team. Administrative and research support for the project was provided by the National Support Office. The team was also fortunate to have Professor John Dewar, at that time Dean of the Faculty of Law of Griffith University and author of the original research, as consultant to the project. 3 The Steering Committee In the later stages, the project was oversighted by a steering committee comprising the Senior Administrative Judge, the Chief Executive Officer of the Family Court and representatives from the National Association of Community Legal Centres and the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. The steering committee provided strategic guidance and advice to the project team. 4 3 A full list of all team members is available in Appendix 1.
Self-represented Litigants ~ A Challenge: PROJECT REPORT PRIMARY OUTCOMES The Family Court recognises that self-representing and other litigants are entitled to all reasonable information and assistance from the Court, so far as is possible, to enable a person to understand what is required to present his or her case to the Court or to engage in dispute resolution processes under the Court’s auspices. In addition to specific outcomes, during the two years of the project the team has noticed a significant "cultural shift" in the perception of, and attitudes to, SRLs among Court staff. The work of the project team has helped to ensure that SRLs are now a recognised and accepted client group that will be included in any considerations of future strategic developments, not only at the national level but also at the local registry level, through Registry Business Plans and quarterly reports. In addition, the project team has developed programs, procedures and brochures at a national level aimed at enabling clients who represent themselves to have a "fair go" at doing a reasonable job for themselves. Most Registries around Australia have taken these on board and have developed and implemented local programs to assist SRLs. This will continue as Registries address the needs of SRLs through their Registry Business Plans. Links to the Court’s Strategic Plan The project plan was developed to contribute to Key Results set out in the Court’s Strategic Plan, which are: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Better targeted services Improved relationships and communication Improved Judge and staff capability Improved systems and management Influence in shaping the family law system The contributions of the project to these Key Results are set out on the following pages. 5
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