This report focuses on the laws, practices and procedures that apply in family law cases that raise family violence concerns. While not directly relating to shared parenting or shared care, all aspects of family law and court practice and procedures were considered to the extent they impact on the federal family law courts’ response to...

The State-wide Community and Court Liaison Service in New South Wales reduces the frequency with which people with a mental health problem come into contact with the court system, according to this report. This is one of the key findings to emerge from an evaluation of services designed to assist the courts in dealing with...

It has long been recognised that child complainants find the court experience very difficult, particularly if they have to give evidence against a family member in a sexual offence matter. This paper outlines the major factors that contribute to making processes harrowing for children and then discusses and evaluates some of the initiatives that have...

The election of the Rudd Government on 24 November 2007 signalled a more multilaterally-oriented role for Australia, in particular in the country’s relations with the United Nations (UN) and other like-minded international organisations. This research paper examines Australia’s relationship with the European Union (EU) and the growing cooperation between Australia and the EU on security...

The High Court of Australia’s 2007 decision that interim control orders were not unconstitutional in Thomas v Mowbray is important in two distinct senses.