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Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in family law proceedings
AI is changing the way in which lawyers work. It offers relief from tedious tasks such as indexing and reviewing disclosure, creating chronologies, summarising lengthy documents, tracking critical dates and writing simple letters and emails, but it also offers opportunities to speed up more complex tasks like legal research...
Twelve things which family lawyers need to know about the AML/CTF tranche 2 reforms
1. Sometimes, family lawyers perform work which is within the definition of “designated services” under the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) tranche 2 reforms, which now form part of the AML/CTF legislation. The AML/CTF legislation is comprised of the Anti-Money Laundering & Counter-Terrorism...
Superannuation Splitting — Errors Family Lawyers Still Make
Superannuation splitting remains one of the most technically difficult areas of family law property practice, with errors in drafting, valuation, and procedural compliance continuing to create significant delay, unenforceable orders, adverse tax outcomes, and professional risk for legal practitioners. This practical session...
Defending an application under the 1980 Hague (International Child Abduction) Convention – when a child objects
This article examines how recent amendments have changed the way a child's objection is determined in international child abduction cases in Australia and how those changes may impact the outcome of future cases. The purpose of the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (the...
The Use of AI in Family Law Proceedings – 2026
The legal profession is embracing AI, but caution and accountability are paramount. In her recent article for Wolters Kluwer, Jacky Campbell, Founding Partner of Forte Family Lawyers, explores how the use of artificial intelligence is reshaping Australian legal practice, and why family lawyers need to proceed thoughtfully....
Jacky Campbell on ABC Law Report: How Legally Tight Are Prenuptial Agreements?
Forte Family Lawyers Partner, Jacky Campbell, recently joined The Law Report on ABC Radio National to discuss a question many couples ask: How legally enforceable are prenuptial agreements in Australia? In this episode, Jacky shares practical insights into the strengths — and limitations — of financial agreements, and what can...
What Is A Binding Financial Agreement?
A Binding Financial Agreement is a legal contract between partners or former partners that outlines how assets, property, and finances will be divided in the event of a relationship breakdown, thereby avoiding court involvement. Defining a Binding Financial Agreement In Australia, a binding financial agreement (BFA) is a...
Codification and companion animals: important elements of the family law reforms
Published in Law Society of NSW Journal Snapshot Significant changes to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) come into effect 10 June 2025. The changes focus on the financial and property aspects of relationship breakdown. The reforms explicitly address the economic ramifications of family violence in determining property...
The Role of Superannuation in Family Law Property Settlements
First published 21 July 2021, updated 27 November 2025 and June 2026. Introduction Superannuation splitting is an important aspect of family law property settlements under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (FLA). This paper looks at some of the technical aspects of superannuation splitting so as to ensure that a superannuation...
Breaking the Chains: The Impact of Family Violence on Financial Agreements
The Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (FLA) does not expressly provide an avenue for victims of family violence to rely upon the family violence as a ground to “escape” from the terms of a financial agreement. Financial agreements made under the FLA are used to oust (or at least limit) the jurisdiction of the court to make...