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42 registrars appointed to newly merged Family and Federal Circuit Court
After a widespread recruitment campaign, 42 new registrars have been appointed to the newly merged Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia to assist in enhanced duties and roles intended to alleviate the burden on judges during proceedings.
Naomi Neilson
The registrars, who will all be given updated titles like senior judicial registrars, judicial registrars and deputy registrars, will play an enhanced role in the new family law case management pathway to be introduced on Wednesday, 1 September when the merging of the two major courts officially comes into effect.
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Chief Justice of the Family Court and Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit Court, the Honourable Will Alstergren, said these appointments will assist in delivering some of the court’s major goals of reducing delays nationally, identifying risks early and improving the access to justice for people living in regional locations.
“The new registrars are all family law specialists with significant skills and experience. The appointments include senior and highly respected members of the profession including barristers, special counsel, senior solicitors and a magistrate, and many who are also accredited mediators,” Chief Justice Alstergren said.
“They have all stepped forward to enthusiastically join the new court in its endeavour to develop a modern, world-leading family court system.”
Additional registrar resources will be provided to four key locations in North Queensland and the NSW Far North Coast, with registrars placed in each of Townsville, Cairns, Rockhampton and Lismore. Two new judicial registrars and a deputy registrar have also been appointed to provide additional support to the Newcastle registry that will see an increase from two to seven registrars.
Two further registrars will be based in Hobart to assist in supporting Tasmania and a further registrar will support each of Wollongong and Canberra.
“The depth and skill and experience of this cohort of family law practitioners demonstrates support for our family law system, and a sense of energy and momentum amongst the profession who wish to contribute and make a significant difference in how we deal with family law disputes in Australia,” Chief Justice Alstergren said.
“I sincerely welcome them to all the courts.”
Chief Justice Alstergren added he is confident that the $100 million Commonwealth funding investment will allow the courts to address its under-resourcing and the unsustainable burden that have been placed on the judges in these courts.
“We are confident of ongoing funding and the appointment of judges to fill current vacancies, and newly created judicial positions and we will continue to discuss with government the importance of further resources to support family violence related and other key initiatives to improve the court system,” he said.
