Guiding those experiencing family violence and other safety risks through the family law system

11/01/2021

The Lighthouse Project Pilot commenced in Adelaide on 7 December 2020, and in Brisbane and Parramatta on 11 January 2021.

The Family Court and Federal Circuit Court have stated that “The Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia are committed to the protection of vulnerable parties and children in family law proceedings. The Lighthouse Project will play a central role in the Courts’ response to cases which may involve family violence, by shaping the allocation of resources and urgency given to such cases. The Project will improve the safety of litigants who may have experienced family violence and children who may have experienced associated risks such as child abuse."

The Pilot introduces risk screening, triage and case management, and the Evatt List to the Federal Circuit Court (FCC). Any parenting only matter filed in the three pilot registries from the commencement date is eligible for inclusion.

The FCC released Practice Direction No. 3 of 2020 – Lighthouse Project and Evatt List which sets out the procedure for Lighthouse Project related family law proceedings in the Court.

Further information can be found on the FCC website here.