The Justice Project is the Law Council’s national review into the state of access to justice for people in Australia, who face significant economic and social disadvantage. It is being overseen by a Steering Committee of eminent lawyers, jurists and academics, chaired by former High Court Chief Justice, the Hon. Robert French AC.

This issues paper is intended to encourage informed community participation by providing some background information and highlighting the issues so far identified by the ALRC as relevant to the areas listed in the Terms of Reference.

This paper responds to the Australian Law Reform Commission Review of the Family Law System. In particular, it addresses question 25 in the issues paper released in March 2018 - how should the family law system address misuse of process as a form of abuse in family law matters?

This aggregate-level analysis finds no evidence that the Bail Assessment Officer intervention had an impact on the granting of bail at first appearance, bail refused days or time on remand.

Key facts: In 2016–17, in the criminal jurisdiction of the supreme, district/county, magistrates’ and children’s courts, approximately 825,202 cases were lodged, and 864,923 cases were finalised. In the civil jurisdiction of these same courts approximately 436,333 cases were lodged and 440,523 cases finalised. In the Australian courts, approximately 121,961 cases were lodged, and 117,027 cases...