Summary

Introduced with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Bill 2018, the bill: amends the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 to establish the Family Law Appeal Division in the Federal Court of Australia, and provide the Family Law Appeal Division appellate jurisdiction in relation to family law appeals from the Federal Circuit and Family Court (FCFC) as well as some appeals from the Family Court of Western Australia; amends the Family Law Act 1975 to largely remove the appellate function of the Family Court of Australia, and ensure that the Act continues to operate in the context of the FCFC; makes consequential amendments to 123 Acts and 25 court-related regulations and rules; amends various Acts contingent on the commencement of 21 proposed Acts; modifies court rules for Divisions 1 and 2 of the FCFC and amends court rules for the Federal Court of Australia and the standard rules of court for family law proceedings; provides for transitional arrangements to preserve and transition the titles and appointments of the judges and personnel to the FCFC, and in relation to family law appeals which are on foot and appeals which would be impacted by the transfer of appellate jurisdiction to the Family Law Appeal Division of the Federal Court; and repeals the Federal Circuit Court of Australia Act 1999.