Résumé

Les dispositions australiennes en matière de violences familiales sont brièvement passées en revue dans ce chapitre, avant d’envisager deux changements importants dans le fonctionnement des tribunaux de droit de la famille: En premier lieu, le filtrage des affaires au moment de leur dépôt et l’utilisation ultérieure des informations du filtrage pour des renvois et un processus de gestion des affaires plus ciblés; En second lieu, les restrictions du droit des parties au litige de se contre-interroger directement (plutôt que d’avoir recours à un avocat) dans les affaires graves de violences familiales.

This chapter explores procedural developments recently implemented in Australian family law courts, introduced to better address cases involving family violence.

In the first section, we undertake a brief overview of the law relating to family violence in Australia, identifying the broad legal definition and common forms of litigation involving family violence. In particular, we note the reality that family violence issues are often the subject of at least two proceedings across court jurisdictions, thus providing perpetrators of family violence with many opportunities to effect a form of systems abuse upon victims.

Next, we turn to consider the ‘Lighthouse Project’, an integrated court case management response designed to provide differentiated pathways and litigant support, based on the level of risk. This pilot is being trialled across Adelaide, Brisbane and Parramatta registries.

Finally, we outline changes made to the ways family law trials are heard in Australia, introduced to prevent perpetrators of family violence from directly cross-examining their alleged victims. The legislative scheme will be outlined, with particular attention to the balance that has been struck between principles of procedural fairness and protection of victims.

OVERVIEW OF AUSTRALIAN FAMILY VIOLENCE PROVISIONS

Family violence is now a well-recognised social problem in Australia, with many systems in place which attempt to address the issue. This is not unique to Australia, and many overseas jurisdictions have experienced the same challenge of dealing with a large and increasing volume of high-risk cases. The Australian Law Reform Commission has recognised the changing nature of the courts’ workload, which has seen an increasing number of complex cases involving family violence (often together with issues concerning mental health and substance abuse).