Certainty in sitting hours in the Federal Circuit Court

16/04/2015

On 4 March 2015 President Jane Needham SC wrote to Chief Judge John Pascoe AO CVO of the Federal Circuit Court, in relation to predictability of sitting hours for those with carer's responsibilities.

Chief Judge Pascoe has responded that the court has adopted a Sitting Hours Protocol:

• The parties be notified at the earliest possible time of a proposal to commence proceedings any time before 9.30am or to sit beyond 4.30pm.

• If possible, 24 hours notice be given of a proposal for an early start date and notice of extended sitting hours be given no later than prior to the luncheon adjournment on the day it is proposed to sit the extended hours.

• In considering whether or not to set extended hours, it is relevant to consider the family or other carer responsibilities of the practitioner.

• It is noted that these suggestions may not be appropriate for circuit sittings and duty lists.

• The suggestions listed above are for guidance only, and are not binding.

The protocol will be published on the court's website.