Family Law Rules (Amendment) (Cth)

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Statutory Rules 1994

No. 401 1

__________________

Family Law Rules 2(Amendment)

WE, Judges within the meaning of the Family Law Act 1975, make the following Rules of Court under that Act.

Dated 14 November 1994.

 ALISTAIR NICHOLSON C. J.

 ALAN J. BARBLETT

 J. EDWARD ELLIS

 J. F. FOGARTY

 H. R. FREDERICO

 E. R. BAKER

 ALWYNNE ROWLANDS

 T. E. LINDENMAYER

 T. H. McGOVERN

 GRAHAM R. BELL

 B. ROSS-JONES

 RODERICK JOSKE

 JOSEPHINE M. MAXWELL

 J. T. GUN

 GEOFFREY I. WALSH

 R. J. BULLEY

 W. B. TREYVAUD

 P. F. UNDERHILL

 PETER B. HASE

 D. BULBECK

 M. A. RENAUD

 JAMES BARRY

 J. S. PURDY

 RODNEY N. PURVIS

 J. WILCZEK

 G. R. MULLANE

 A. GRAHAM

 P. J. MOSS

 N. MUSHIN

 I. R. COLEMAN

 P. F. A. HILTON

 M. A. HANNON

 B. J. WARNICK

 RICHARD CHISHOLM

 SALLY BROWN

 B. JORDAN

 J. FAULKS

 S. R. O’RYAN

 Judges of the Family

 Court of Australia

IAN J. LOUGHNAN

Principal Registrar

Family Court of Australia

 I. W. P. McCALL

 ALAN J. BARBLETT

 D. R. ANDERSON

 N. TOLCON

 MICHAEL H. HOLDEN

 Judges of the Family Court

 of Western Australia

C. E. MARTIN

Registrar

Family Court of Western Australia

____________ 

1.   Commencement

1.1   These Rules commence on 1 February 1995.

2.   Amendment

2.1   The Family Law Rules are amended as set out in these Rules.

3.   Order 1, Rule 4 (Interpretation)

3.1   Subrule 4 (1) (definition of “assured service”):

Omit the definition, substitute:

“ ‘assured service’ means service in accordance with subrule 9 (1), paragraph 9 (2) (a), subrule 10 (1) or paragraph 10 (2) (a) or (b) of Order 18;”.

3.2   Subrule 4 (1):

Insert the following definition:

“ ‘address for service’, in relation to a person and proceedings, means:

  • (a)

    an address for service given in the proceedings in relation to the person in accordance with subrule 2 (1) of Order 18; or

  • (b)

    the address that is taken to be the person’s address for service in the proceedings under subrule 2 (2) of Order 18;”.

3.3   Subrule 4 (2):

Omit the subrule.

4.   Order 2, Rule 2 (Requirements with respect to documents)

4.1   Before subrule 2 (1), insert:

 “(1A) A document must comply with subrule (2), unless:

  • (a)

    the nature of the document renders compliance impracticable; or

  • (b)

    the document is in accordance with a form that:

    • (i)

      is prescribed in these Rules; and

    • (ii)

      provides for the document to be set out in a manner that does not comply with subrule (2); or

  • (c)

    under these Rules, the document must comply with a different requirement, or different requirements.”.

4.2   Subrule 2 (1):

Omit all the words before paragraph (a), substitute:

“(1)

Subject to this rule, a document must:”.

4.3   Subrules 2 (3) and (4):

Omit the subrules, substitute:

“(3)

A document filed in accordance with Form 4, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 39, 40, 41, 42, 42A, 50, 52, 53, 59 or 67 does not require a cover sheet in accordance with Form 1.

“(4)

In a document filed in accordance with Form 4:

  • (a)

    each of Parts A and B of the Form must be set out on a single sheet of paper; and

  • (b)

    Part H (if applicable) and the notice of application must begin at the top of a page.

 “(4A) If;

  • (a)

    a document must be filed in accordance with Form 4, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 or 23; and

  • (b)

    the document is filed with the words prescribed in that Form set out in accordance with rule 2;

the other words in the Form may be printed in clear and legible handwriting.

 “(4B) A document filed in accordance with Form 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 or 23 must be set out on a single sheet of paper.

 “(4C) A document filed in accordance with Form 45A or 45B must be filed with a cover sheet in accordance with Form 1A.”.

5.   Order 2, Rule 5 (Forms)

5.1   Subrule 5 (1):

Omit the subrule, substitute:

 “(1)In these Rules, a reference to a form by number is a reference to the form so numbered in Schedule 1.”.

6.   Order 3, Rule 1 (Computation of time)

6.1   Subrule 1 (4):

Omit all the words before paragraph (a), substitute:

“(4)

Subject to rule 5 of Order 18, if the last day for:”.

7.   Order 7, Rule 7 (Application for dissolution of marriage)

7.1   Omit the rule, substitute:

Application for dissolution of marriage

“7.

An application for dissolution of marriage must be made in accordance with Form 4.”.

8.   Order 8, Rule 1 (Proceedings instituted by one party)

8.1   Paragraph 1 (a):

Omit the paragraph, substitute:

  • “(a)

    the applicant has filed a request in accordance with Form 4 or Form 9 that the court determine the matter in the absence of the parties; and”.

9.   Order 8, Rule 2 (Joint applications)

9.1   Omit the rule, substitute:

Joint applications

“2.

(1) In proceedings for dissolution of marriage begun jointly by the parties to the marriage:

  • “(a)

    if:

    • (i)

      not less than 28 days before the date fixed for the hearing of the proceedings, a party to the marriage has filed a request in accordance with Form 9 and served the request on the other party to the marriage; or

    • (ii)

      both parties to the marriage have requested the court to determine the proceedings in their absence by filing a request in accordance with Form 4 or Form 11; and

  • (b)

    if, at the date fixed for the hearing of those proceedings:

    • (i)

      there are no children of the marriage who have not turned 18 years of age; and

    • (ii)

      a party served with a request in accordance with Form 9 has not requested the court not to determine the proceedings in the absence of the parties;

the court may determine the proceedings despite the absence of both parties and their legal representatives.”.

10.   Order 10 (Answers to applications for principal relief)

10.1   Heading:

Omit the heading, substitute:

ORDER 10

RESPONSES TO APPLICATIONS FOR PRINCIPAL RELIEF”.

11.   Order 10, Rule 1 (Time for filing responses)

11.1   Omit “an answer, or answer”, substitute “a response, or response”.

12.   Order 10, Rule 2 (Form and service of responses)

12.1   Subrule 2 (1):

Omit “an answer”, substitute “a response”.

12.2   Subrule 2 (2):

Omit “An answer”, substitute “A response”.

13.   Order 10, Rule 3 (Response objecting to jurisdiction)

13.1   Subrule 3 (1):

Omit “an answer”, substitute “a response”.

13.3   Subrule 3 (2):

Omit “An answer”, substitute “A response”.

14.   Order 10, Rule 6 (Response out of time)

14.1   Subrule 6 (1):

Omit “an answer or answer”, substitute “a response or response”.

14.2   Subrule 6 (1):

Omit “the answer or answer”, substitute “the response or response”.

14.3   Subrule 6 (2):

Omit “an answer or answer”, substitute “a response or response”.

15.   Order 11, Rule 19 (Response to objection to jurisdiction)

15.1   Subrule 19 (1):

Omit “an answer”, substitute “a response”.

15.2   Subrule 19 (2):

Omit “The answer”, substitute “The response”.

16.   Order 14, Rule 2 (Intervention by the Attorney-General under section 58 of the Act)

16.1   Subrule 2 (2):

Omit “18 , paragraph 5 (1) (a) or (b)”, substitute “18”.

17.   Order 15, Rule 18 (Affidavits to be served)

17.1   Omit “a manner referred to in Order 18, paragraph 5 (1) (a) or (b),”, substitute “accordance with Order 18,”.

18.   Order 18 (Service)

18.1   Omit the Order, substitute:

“ORDER 18

“SERVICE

“Division 1—Address for service

Address for service—right to be heard in proceedings

“1.

A person who has not given an address for service is not entitled to be heard by the court in proceedings unless the court orders otherwise.

Giving address for service

“2.

(1) A person may give an address for service in proceedings:

  • (a)

    by filing a notice of address for service in accordance with Form 18; or

  • (b)

    by filing another relevant document, in a form prescribed by these Rules, that includes an address for service.

“(2)

If a party to proceedings (in this subrule called ‘the later proceedings’):

  • (a)

    has not given an address for service in the later proceedings in accordance with subrule (1); and

  • (b)

    has an address for service in other proceedings between the parties (except proceedings for divorce or other principal relief); and

  • (c)

    has taken a step in the other proceedings within 6 months before the day on which a document that is required to be served on the party is filed in the later proceedings;

the party’s address for service in the other proceedings is taken to be the party’s address for service in the later proceedings unless the party changes his or her address for service in the later proceedings.

“(3)

Unless the court orders otherwise, if a person who does not have an address for service files a document in proceedings, the document must include the person’s address for service.

“(4)

An address for service must be an address in Australia.

Change of address for service

“3.

A party to proceedings may change the party’s address for service in the proceedings by filing a notice of address for service in accordance with Form 18.

Notifying other parties of address for service

“4.

Unless the court orders otherwise, a person who files a notice of address for service in proceedings under rule 2 or 3 must serve a sealed copy of the notice on each other party to the proceedings.

Division 2—When and howare documents served?

When must documents be served on other parties?

“5.

(1) If a document filed in proceedings is to be served under these Rules, the person who filed it must serve a sealed copy of it on each other party to the proceedings as soon as practicable after it was filed.

“(2)

Unless the court orders otherwise, a person must not serve a document on another person more than 12 months after the date on which the document was filed.

Service by hand

“6.

(1) If a document is served on a person by handing it to him or her, it must not be handed to him or her by the party on whose behalf it is being served, but it may be handed to him or her in the party’s presence.

“(2)

If an individual refuses to accept a document from the person serving it, the document is taken to have been handed to the individual if:

  • (a)

    the document is put down, and left, in his or her presence; and

  • (b)

    the person serving the document tells the individual what the document is.

Service of applications for divorce or other principal relief

“7.

A sealed copy of an application for divorce or other principal relief must be served on the respondent by:

  • (a)

    handing it to him or her; or

  • (b)

    sending it by pre-paid post in a sealed envelope addressed to him or her at his or her last known address.

Service of summary applications for maintenance

“8.

An application referred to in rule 1 of Order 9 (which deals with summary maintenance procedure) must be served on the respondent:

  • (a)

    by handing it to him or her; or

  • (b)

    by sending it in a sealed envelope addressed to the respondent at his or her last known address:

    • (i)

      if the application is to be served in Australia—by pre-paid post as certified mail; or

    • (ii)

      if the application is to be served outside Australia—by pre-paid post as security mail.

Service of other documents on individuals

“9.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, if an individual has an address for service, a document (other than an application referred to in rule 7 or 8) may be served on the individual:

  • (a)

    by handing it to him or her; or

  • (b)

    by delivering it to the address in a sealed envelope addressed to him or her; or

  • (c)

    by sending it by pre-paid post in a sealed envelope addressed to him or her at the address; or

  • (d)

    by fax addressed to him or her and sent to a fax receiver at the address; or

  • (e)

    if the address includes the number of a document exchange box of a solicitor’s firm—by sealing the document in an envelope (that complies with any pre-payment requirements of the document exchange and is addressed to the solicitor or firm at that box address) and placing the envelope:

    • (i)

      in that box; or

    • (ii)

      in a box provided at another branch of the document exchange for delivery of documents to the box address.

“(2)

Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, if an individual does not have an address for service, a document (other than an application referred to in rule 7 or 8) may be served on the individual:

  • (a)

    by handing it to him or her; or

  • (b)

    by delivering it to his or her last known address in a sealed envelope addressed to him or her; or

  • (c)

    by sending it by pre-paid post in a sealed envelope addressed to the individual at his or her last known address.

Service on bodies corporate

“10.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, if a body corporate has an address for service, a document may be served on the body corporate:

  • (a)

    by delivering it to the address in a sealed envelope addressed to the body corporate; or

  • (b)

    by sending it by pre-paid post in a sealed envelope addressed to the body corporate at the address; or

  • (c)

    by fax addressed to the body corporate and sent to a fax receiver at the address; or

  • (d)

    if the address includes the number of a document exchange box of a solicitor’s firm—by sealing the document in an envelope (that complies with any pre-payment requirements of the document exchange and is addressed to the solicitor or firm at that box address) and placing the envelope:

    • (i)

      in that box; or

    • (ii)

      in a box provided at another branch of the document exchange for delivery of documents to the box address.

“(2)

Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, if a body corporate does not have an address for service, a document may be served on the body corporate:

  • (a)

    if the body corporate has a registered office in the same State or Territory as the filing registry:

    • (i)

      by delivering or sending it by pre-paid post in a sealed envelope addressed to the body corporate at the registered office; or

    • (ii)

      by fax addressed to the body corporate and sent to a fax receiver at the registered office; or

  • (b)

    if the body corporate does not have a registered office in that State or Territory:

    • (i)

      by delivering or sending it by pre-paid post in a sealed envelope addressed to the body corporate at the principal place of business or principal office of the body corporate in the State or Territory; or

    • (ii)

      by fax addressed to the body corporate and sent to a fax receiver at that office or place of business; or

  • (c)

    if the body corporate does not have a registered office or place of business in the State or Territory:

    • (i)

      by delivering it or sending it by pre-paid post in a sealed envelope addressed to the body corporate at the body corporate’s registered office in another State or Territory; or

    • (ii)

      by fax addressed to the body corporate and sent to a fax receiver at the registered office; or

  • (d)

    by handing the document to each of 2 directors of the body corporate who reside in the State or Territory where the filing registry is located; or

  • (e)

    if a liquidator, or an official manager, of the body corporate has been appointed:

     (i) by delivering it or sending it by pre-paid post in a sealed envelope to the office of the liquidator or official manager; or

     (ii) by fax addressed to the liquidator or official manager and sent to a fax receiver at that office.

Additional requirements for service by post

“11.

(1) A person serving a document by post must include with the document:

  • (a)

    a form of acknowledgment of service in accordance with Form 19; and

  • (b)

    an envelope that:

    • (i)

      is addressed to the person on whose behalf the document is being served at the address for service of that person; and

    • (ii)

      if the document is to be sent to an address in Australia—bears the correct postage for the return by post of the acknowledgment of service in the envelope.

“(2)

If the document is to be served by post outside Australia, the document must be posted by air mail.

When is a service by post effected?

“12.

Subject to rule 16, a document served on a person by post is taken to have been served on the person:

  • (a)

    if it was posted to an address in Australia—on the day on which the document would be delivered in the ordinary course of post; or

  • (b)

    if it was posted to an address outside Australia—on the twenty-eighth day after the day of posting.

Court’s discretion relating to service

“13.

Nothing in this Order affects the power of a court exercising jurisdiction under the Act or another Act:

  • (a)

    to authorise service of a document in a manner that is not provided for in Division 1 or 2; or

  • (b)

    to find that a document has been served; or

  • (c)

    to find that a document has been served on a particular date.

“Division 3—Proof of service

Acknowledgment of service

“14.

(1) A person on whom a document is served may acknowledge service of the document by an acknowledgment of service.

“(2)

An acknowledgment of service:

  • (a)

    must be in accordance with Form 19; and

  • (b)

    may be signed by the person on whom the document was served or by his or her solicitor.

“(3)

If a solicitor signs an acknowledgment of service on behalf of a party to proceedings, the filing of the acknowledgment is taken to constitute proof of service of a document to which it refers on the date on which service of the document is acknowledged.

Affidavit of service

“15.

(1) Unless the court otherwise orders, any evidence of service to be given (except an acknowledgment of service) must be given by affidavit.

“(2)

An affidavit of service must be:

  • (a)

    for an application for dissolution of marriage that is served by the applicant by post—in accordance with Form20; and

  • (b)

    for an application for dissolution of marriage that is served by another person—in accordance with Form21; and

  • (c)

    in any other case—in accordance with Form 22.

“(3)

If the deponent to an affidavit of service can:

  • (a)

    identify the signature of a person on an acknowledgment of service of a document; or

  • (b)

    give other evidence relating to the identity of a person on whom a document is served;

the identification or other evidence may be included in the affidavit of service.

Evidence of service of documents

“16.

(1) Evidence of signature may be in accordance with Form 23.

“(2)

An acknowledgment of service of a document that is signed by the person on whom the document was served is evidence that the document was served in accordance with the acknowledgment.

“(3)

If the server of a document can identify the person served, service of the document may be proved by evidence to that effect given by the server.

“(4)

If the server of a document can identify a photograph of the person served, and another person who knows the person served identifies the photograph as a photograph of the person served, service of the document may be proved by evidence to that effect by the server and the other person.

“(5)

If a person other than the server of a document:

  • (a)

    was present when the document was served; and

  • (ii)

    saw the document handed to the person served, or put down and left in the presence of the person served; and

  • (iii)

    can identify the person served;

service of the document may be proved by evidence to that effect given by the other person.

“(6)

Nothing in this rule precludes the giving of any other evidence to prove the service of a document.

“Division 4—Discretion as to service

Court may dispense with service of documents

“17.

(1) On application made ex parte in accordance with Form 8, the court may dispense with service of a document.

“(2)

In considering an application, the court may have regard to:

  • (a)

    whether the applicant has taken reasonable steps to serve the document on the respondent; and

  • (b)

    whether the applicant has taken reasonable steps to provide the respondent with a copy of the document; and

  • (c)

    whether the respondent could become aware of the existence and nature of the document by means of advertising or another form of communication that is reasonably available to the applicant; and

  • (d)

    the likely cost to the applicant of serving the document, the means of the applicant and the nature of the proceedings; and

  • (e)

    any other relevant matter.

“(3)

If an order relating to service of a document under subrule (1):

  • (a)

    is unconditional; or

  • (b)

    is made subject to a condition that is complied with;

the document is taken to have been served.

Failure to comply with conditions

“18.

Even if an applicant has not complied with a condition of an order made under rule 17, the court may order that the document is taken to have been served on a date specified in the order.”.

19.   Order 19, Rule 9 (Service of documents)

19.1   Omit the rule.

20.   Order 20, Rule 21 (Service of documents)

20.1   Omit the rule.

21.   Order 23, Rule 7 (Service on infirm persons)

21.1   Subrule 7 (1):

Omit “18, paragraph 5 (1) (a) or (b)”, substitute “18”.

22.   Order 25, Rule 4 (Form of certificates under subsection 44 (1B) and subsection 44 (1C)

22.1   Subrule 4 (1):

Omit “Form 34.”, substitute “Part H of Form 4.”.

22.2   Subrule 4 (2):

Omit the subrule, substitute:

“(2)

For the purposes of subsection 44 (1C) of the Act, a person or organisation specified in paragraph 44 (1B) (a) of the Act may provide a certificate in accordance with Part H of Form 4.”.

23.   Order 28, Rule 1 (Issue by Registrar)

23.1   Subrule 1 (2):

Omit the subrule, substitute:

“(2)

The party at whose request a subpoena is issued must serve a sealed copy of the subpoena on each person to whom the subpoena is addressed:

  • (a)

    by delivering the copy to the addressee; or

  • (b)

    if the addressee is a body corporate, by delivering or posting the copy:

    • (i)

      in the case of a body corporate that has a registered office in the State or Territory where the filing registry is located—to that office; and

    • (ii)

      in any other case—to the principal office or place of business of the body corporate in that State or Territory.”.

24.   Order 33, Rule 2 (Enforcement of maintenance etc. orders and debts due to the Commonwealth)

24.1   Subrule 2 (4):

Omit “18, paragraph 5 (1) (a) or (b)”, substitute “18”.

24.2   Subrule 2 (4A):

Omit “18, paragraph 5 (1) (a) or (b)”, substitute “18”.

25.   Order 33, Rule 3 (Summary procedures on refusal or failure to comply with certain orders)

25.1   Subrule 3 (5):

Omit “18, paragraph 5 (1) (a) or (b)”, substitute “18”.

26.   Order 33, Rule 4 (Garnishment)

26.1   Subrule 4 (10):

Omit “18, paragraph 5 (1) (a) or (b)”, substitute “18”.

26.2   Subrule 4 (12):

Omit “18, rule 5”, substitute “18”.

27.   Order 34, Rule 2 (Contempt other than in the face of the Court)

27.1   Subrule 2 (4):

Omit “Order 18, paragraph 5 (1) (a) (i) or (b) (i).”, substitute “paragraph 9 (1) (a) or (2) (a) or 10 (1) (a) or (2) (a) of Order 18.”.

28.   Order 34, Rule 9 (Summary enforcement of access orders)

28.1   Paragraph 9 (3) (a):

Omit the paragraph, substitute:

  • “(a)

    in accordance with paragraph 9 (1) (a), subrule 9 (2) or rule 10 of Order 18; and”.

29.   Order 36A, Rule 2 (Delegation of powers to Judicial Registrars)

29.1   Paragraph 2 (2) (i):

Omit the paragraph, substitute:

  • “(i)

    rule 1, subrule 2 (3), rule 4, subrule 5 (2), rule 13, subrule 15 (1) and rules 17 and 18 of Order 18;”.

30.   Order 38, Rule 4 (Basic composite amount—undefended dissolution proceedings)

30.1   Subrule 4 (2):

Omit the subrule, substitute:

“(2)

In this rule, ‘basic composite amount’ means an amount in respect of:

  • “(a)

    any time spent taking instructions for, preparing and completing in handwriting or typing, an application in accordance with Form 4; and

  • (b)

    attending to have the verifying affidavit sworn; and

  • (c)

    copying the application; and

  • (d)

    attending to file the application and obtain a return date; and

  • (e)

    any attendances, letters and telephone calls to arrange service of the application, preparation of an acknowledgment of service, an affidavit of service and a proof of signature, and work done having those documents signed, filed and copied; and

  • (f)

    any conferences with the applicant; and

  • (g)

    if a solicitor appears in court personally—any time spent by the solicitor in travelling to, attending and appearing; and

  • (h)

    if a solicitor instructs a barrister or agent to appear in proceedings:

    • (i)

      any instructions and correspondence to, and telephone calls with, the barrister or agent; and

    • (ii)

      any fees of the barrister or agent in relation to the instructions; and

  • (i)

    perusing and copying the decree of dissolution of marriage and forwarding it to the applicant; and

  • (j)

    all necessary correspondence to, and telephone calls with, the applicant.”.

31.   Order 38, Rule 24 (Taxation hearing)

31.1   Subrule 24 (2):

Omit “prior to its being served on all persons affected by the taxation”.

31.2   Subrule 24 (3):

Omit the subrule, substitute:

“(3)

The solicitor or party who files the bill of costs must serve a copy of the bill on each person affected by the taxation.”.

32.   Schedule

32.1   The Schedule to these Rules makes amendments to Schedule 1, and to Part 3 of Schedule 2, to the Family Law Rules.

33.   Saving provision

33.1   Subrule 4 (2) of Order 38 of, and Part 3 of Schedule 2 to, the Family Law Rules, as in force immediately before the commencement of these Rules, continue to apply in relation to proceedings begun before 1 February 1995 as if these Rules had not been made.

______________

SCHEDULE Rule 32

AMENDMENTS TO SCHEDULE 1, AND TO PART 3 OF SCHEDULE 2, TO THE FAMILY LAW RULES

PART 1—AMENDMENTS TO SCHEDULE 1

1.   Heading:

1.1   Omit the heading, substitute:

“SCHEDULE 1

Order 2, rule 5

FORMS”.

SCHEDULE—continued

2.   Form 4:

2.1   Omit the Form, substitute:

“FORM 4

 Order 7, rule 7

Court use only

[NAME OF COURT]

Form 4

File:

Number:

Application for

divorce

(Dissolution of marriage)

Filed at:

Filed on:

 

Family Law Rules Order 7, rule 7

Type or print clearly

Hearing place:

Read instructions for each part before you answer it

Hearing time: and date

Application by husband alone

 ☐ wife alone ☐ both together ☐

APersonal details

the husband

the wife

1. Family name  used now

2 Given names

3 Full name on  marriage  certificate

4 Address

 Postcode

 Postcode

5 Occupation

6 Date and country  of birth

day/month/year  country

day/month/year  country

7 Citizenship,  domicile,  residence

Australian citizen  ☐

Australian citizen  ☐

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 4—continued

Put a cross in each box that applies

lived whole life in Australia

 ☐

lived whole life in Australia ☐

regards Australia as his home ☐

regards Australia as her home

 ☐

intends to live permanently in Australia ☐

intends to live permanently in Australia ☐

ordinarily lives in Australia and has lived in Australia for 12 months immediately before this application  ☐

ordinarily lives in Australia and has lived in Australia for 12 months immediately before this application ☐

other information

(see instructions)

8 Address for  service of  documents on  applicant

Address in 4 above ☐ Go to 9

Solicitor’s below ☐ (complete)

Firm name:

Code:

Address:

Postcode

Phone: (

 )

Fax: (

 )

DX & suburb/town

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 4—continued

Omit if there are children under 18

BRequest not to attend proceedings

9 Do you want to attend the court when it decides  your application? Yes ☐ No ☐

(Read instructions carefully before you put a cross in ‘No’)

Court use only fee paid ☐  waived ☐ 

within 2 years of date of marriage 

C Details of marriage and separation. Read instructions first

10 Date and country of marriage.

day/month/year   country

  

11 When did you separate from your  spouse?

day/month/year

 

12 (a) At the time you separated, did  you or your spouse intend to end  the marriage?

husband Yes ☐ No ☐

wife Yes ☐ No ☐

(b)

Did you or your spouse move out  of the home?

Husband

 Yes ☐    No ☐

wife  Yes ☐   No ☐

13 (a) Have you and your spouse lived  under the same roof at any time  after you separated?

No ☐ go to 14

Yes  ☐ go to (b)

(b)

Give dates and length of each  period

day/month/year day/month/year

from  to

 

day/month/year day/month/year

from  to

 

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 4—continued

14 (a) At any time after you separated,  have you and your spouse lived  as husband and wife?

No ☐ go to 15

Yes ☐ go to (b)

(b)

Give dates and length of each  period

day/month/year day/month/year

from  to

 

day/month/year day/month/year

from  to

15 Do you think it is likely that you will  reconcile and live together as husband  and wife?

 

No ☐  Yes ☐

16 Is there any child under 18 who is:

*

a child of you and your spouse?;  or

*

a child treated as a member of  your family when you last   separated?

No ☐  go straight to F

Yes ☐ how many?

 ____________

 go to Part D

Omit Part D if answer to 16 is ‘No’

DOther court proceedings and ordersRead instructions first

17 Are there any family law, domestic  violence or child welfare proceedings pending concerning the husband or  the wife or the children listed in E

No ☐  go to 19

Yes ☐ go to 18

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 4—continued

18 Give details—include name of court,  date listed and orders sought, stage of  proceedings

 (Use an extra page if there is not  enough space)

19 Are there any current family law,  domestic violence or child welfare  orders concerning the husband or the  wife or the children listed in E

No ☐  go to 21

Yes ☐  go to 20

20 Give details—include name of court,  date and orders made

(Use an extra page if there is not

enough space)

Omit Part E if answer to 16 is ‘No’

Read instructions first

E

Children under 18Child 1Child 2

21 Child’s family  name (surname)

22 Given name(s)

23 Date of birth

24 Address

Postcode

Postcode

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 4—continued

25 Who else lives in  the child’s home?

husband ☐  wife ☐ 

other:

husband ☐   wife ☐ 

other:

(a) name

 age/sex

relationship

 to child

(b) name

 age/sex

relationship

 to child

(Attach extra page

if there is not  enough space))

26 Details for child

  (a) housing

  (b) supervision

  (c) access

  (d) financial    support

  (e) education

  (f) health

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 4—continued

27 Do you propose  any substantial  changes to these  arrangements?

No ☐

Yes ☐  Give details

No ☐

Yes ☐  Give details

[Attach further pages for any other children referred to in answer to 16]

E

Childrenunder 18Child 3Child 4

21 Child’s family  name (surname)

22 Given name(s)

23 Date of birth

24 Address

Postcode

Postcode

25 Who else lives in  the child’s home?

 (a) name

 age/sex

relationship to

child

 (b) name

 age/sex

relationship to

child

(Use an extra page

if there is not  enough space)

husband ☐  wife ☐ 

other:

husband ☐  wife ☐ 

other:

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 4—continued

26 Details for child

  (a) housing

  (b) supervision

  (c) access

  

(d) financial

     support

  (e) education

  (f) health

27 Do you propose  any substantial  changes to these  arrangements?

 If yes, give details

No

 ☐

Yes ☐  Give details

No

 ☐

Yes ☐  Give details

Attach further page(s) for any other children referred to in answer to 16

FAffidavit of applicant(s)Read instructions first

I swear/affirm that:

If only one person is applying, only that person should sign

1 I am the applicant

Both husband and wife to sign ONLY if they are applying together

2 I have read this application

3  The facts of which I have

4   All other facts are true to

   information and belief.

personal knowledge are true

the best of my knowledge,

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 4—continued

Signature of husband

Signature of wife

Sworn /affirmed

Sworn /affirmed

place: date:

 

place: date:

Before me—signature

Before me—signature

Justice of the Peace ☐

Other ☐  (specify)

Justice of the Peace ☐

Other ☐ (specify)

GDeclarationOnly 1 signature required

I gave the applicant(s) a copy of “Marriage, Families and Separation”

Signature of solicitor (if filing the application):

Signature of registry officer (if the applicant filing):

Date:

Print full name:

Date:

If you have been married for less than 2 years you must also complete Part H

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 4—continued

Read instructions firstOmit part H if inapplicable

H Counselling Certificate (only for applicants married less than 2 years)

Details

1 Husband

-name

-address

Family name (Surname)

 Given names

Postcode

2 Wife

-name

-address

Family name (Surname)

 Given names

 

Postcode

3 Date of marriage

date/month/year

4 Counsellor

 -name

 -organisation

 -address

5 Details of counselling

 meetings

Family name (Surname)

 Given names

   

Postcode

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 4—continued

Certificates

Complete one only

Section 44 (1B)

I certify that both the wife and husband attended the counselling set out in (5) and considered reconciliation.

Section 44 (1C)

I certify that:

(a) only the wife ☐ husband ☐ attended counselling mentioned in (5) and considered reconciliation; and

(a)

 the wife ☐  husband ☐  was invited to consider reconciliation but did not attend.

Signature:

Position:

Date:

Signature:

Position:

Date:

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 4—continued

Notice of application

Divorce (dissolution of marriage)

Pin this to the front of the copy of the application to be served on your spouse.

Omit if both husband and wife are applying together.

Read instructions first

To (name of spouse)

address

..................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................. Postcode........................

In the attached application form your spouse is applying for divorce on the ground that the marriage has ended.

 The court has set down a time and place to hear the application as indicated on page 1 of the application.

You should check the details given by your spouse in the form to ensure that they are correct to the best of your knowledge.

  You should also read the enclosed brochure “Marriage, Families and Separation” carefully. It sets out the legal and possible social effects of these proceedings and the counselling and welfare facilities available.

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 4—continued

If you do not oppose the application

You should sign, date and return the Acknowledgment of Service to the person who served the application.

 

You do not have to do anything else.

The court will send you any decree after it becomes absolute.

 

If your spouse has asked to be absent from the hearing in Part B of the application, the court may agree unless you file an answer (Form 13 or 14) or file with the court and serve on your spouse a request not to determine the proceedings in absence (Form 10) at least 7 days before the date of the hearing.

 

If you oppose the application

You must fill in a response (Form 13 or 14) if you want to:

 

(a)

 deny any statement in the application; or

(b)

 ask the court to consider any additional information; or

(c)

 ask the court to dismiss the application; or

(d)

 make any other submission to the court; or

(e)

 deny that the court has jurisdiction to hear your case.

 

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 4—continued

You must lodge the form with the court no later than:

  • 28 days after the application was served on you, if it was served in Australia

  • 42 days after the application was served on you if it was served overseas.

 

You must also serve a copy of the form on your spouse in accordance with the Family Law Rules.

 You can obtain a copy of the form and instructions on how to serve it from the court.

 

You must also come to the hearing.

 If you do not, the court may proceed with the application in your absence.

 

Property and maintenance

If you want to apply to the court about property or your own maintenance, you must do so by separate application with 12 months of the decree absolute.

 After that time you must first obtain the leave of the court to apply.

 

Signed

............................................. Registry Officer

 

Date

..................................

 

SCHEDULE—continued

3.   Form 5:

3.1   Omit the Form.

4.   Form 13:

4.1   Omit the Form, substitute:

“FORM 13

 Order 10, subrule 2 (1)

Fill in boxes A and C (see application)

[NAME OF COURT]

Form 13

A. File Number

Response

(Divorce or other Principal Relief)

Court use only

B. Filed at

 Filed on

Family Law Rules—Order 10, rule 2

C. Hearing date

Cross boxes which apply

1. Name of Applicant (from application)

Family name (Surname) Given Names

Details of Respondent

2

 Name of

Respondent

Family name (surname)

                                              Given names

3

 Respondent’s

 Solicitor (if

 applicable)

Name of solicitor 

Firm name: _________________________________

Code:

 ______________

Address:

 ______________________________

                          ___________Postcode:___________

Telephone:

 (   )____________ Fax: ( ) __________

DX and suburb/town: _________________________

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 13—continued

4

 Respondent’s

address for service of documents

Solicitor above ☐

Other ☐ Specify: ___________________________

_____________________Postcode:_____________

5

 Who prepared this Response

Respondent ☐ Solicitor above ☐

Orders sought

6

 Do you want the Court to dismiss the application?

Yes ☐ No ☐

Details of Response

7

 Do you disagree with any statement in the application?

No ☐ go to 8.   Yes ☐ give details (refer to each

 disputed statement by the same

 number it has in the application)

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 13—continued

8

 Set out any other grounds on which you rely

9 (Divorce only)

Do you say that the arrangements for the children are proper?

Yes

 ☐ 

No

 ☐ 

Affidavit of respondent

I swear/affirm that:

(1) I am the respondent.

(2) I have read this Response.

(3) The facts of which I have personal knowledge are true.

(4) All other facts are true to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.

Signature of respondent: Sworn/affirmed:

Place:Date//

 Before me—signature

 Full name of witness (print)

Justice of the Peace

 Other  (Specify)______________

___________

SCHEDULE—continued

5   Form 14:

5.1   Heading:

Omit the heading, substitute:

“RESPONSE OBJECTING TO JURISDICTION”.

5.2   Omit “answer” (wherever occurring), substitute “response”.

6.   Form 18:

6.1   Omit the Form, substitute:

“FORM 18

 Order 18, paragraph 2 (1) (a)

and rule 3

Fill in boxes A and B

[NAME OF COURT]

Form 18

A. File Number

Notice of address for service

Court use only

B. Filed at

 Filed on

Family Law Rules—Order 18, rules 2 and 3

C. Hearing date

1.

 Name

Family name (surname) Given names 

2

 Address for service

_____________________________________________________Postcode_______

Telephone (

 ) Fax ( )

DX and Suburb/town:

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 18—continued

3 Is this address for service of notices for all proceedings with the above file number?

Yes ☐

No ☐ only the proceedings concerning (specify)

__________________________________

  

Date:

Signature:

 

Print solicitor’s name (if applicable)

Code:

 

(This Form may be signed by the person named in (1) or by his or her solicitor)”.

__________________

SCHEDULE—continued

7.   Form 19:

7.1   Omit the Form, substitute:

“FORM 19

 Order 18, paragraphs 11 (1) (a)

and 14 (2) (a)

 

Fill in boxes A and B

[NAME OF COURT]

Form 19

A. File Number

Acknowledgment of service

Court use only

B. Filed at

 Filed on

Family Law Rules—Order 19, rules 11 and 14

C. Hearing date

1. Full name of person served with documents

Family name (surname) Given names

2. What is the person served called in the documents?

Husband

 ☐ Wife ☐ 

Father

 ☐ Mother  ☐

Other  ☐ (specify)_________________

3. Date documents served

SCHEDULE—continued

FORM 19—continued

4. What documents were served?

(Omit or delete those not received)

(a) Copy of application for divorce stamped with the

Court seal

(b) “Marriage Families and Separation” brochure

 (Order 25, rule 3)

(c) Copy of affidavit of ________________________

 sworn/affirmed on ________________________

(d) Copy of application for ____________________

________________stamped with the Court seal

 

(e) Mediation brochure (see Order 25A, rule 21)

Others (give details)

(f) _____________________________________

(g)_________________________________________

I acknowledge service of

 OR I am the solicitor for the person

documents as specified above.

  served. On behalf of my client I   acknowledge service of   documents as specified above in   accordance with the Family Law   Rules.

Date: __________________

   Date: _______________________

 

Signature of person served

 Signature of solicitor

                                                       Name (print):

 

Address:_______________________

_______________________

 

Solicitor’s code:

 

Annexure Note:

This is the Acknowledgment of Service referred to in the Affidavit of _________

 

Sworn at____________________Before me:___________________

 (Signature)

A Justice of the Peace ☐ Other ☐  (Specify)_________________

SCHEDULE—continued

 FORM 20

Order 18, paragraph 15 (2) (a)

Fill in boxes A and C

(see application)

[NAME OF COURT]

Form 20

A. File Number

Affidavit by applicant of service by post (divorce)

Court use only

B. Filed at

 Filed on

Family Law Rules—Order 18, rule 15

C. Hearing date

 

1. Full name of person serving documents (applicant) and address

Family name (surname)

 Given names

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

2. Person served (full name)

Surname (Family Name) Given names

3. What documents were served?

(Omit or delete those not served)

(a)  Copy of Application for Divorce (dissolution of marriage), stamped with the Court seal

(b) Form of Acknowledgment of Service

(c) “Marriage, Families and Separation” brochure (Order 25, rule 3)

(d) Other

 (give details):

_________________________________

_________________________________

4. How were they served on the person?

I posted them by prepaid post in an envelope addressed to the person served at (give address):

__________________________________________________________________

5. Date of posting

SCHEDULE—continued

 

FORM 20—continued

 

6.

 Acknowledgment

The Acknowledgment of Service is signed by the person named in (2) above. I have attached it to this Affidavit.

 

I swear/affirm that:

 

1 I am the person applying for the divorce; and

 

2 The person served is my spouse; and

 

3 The facts set out are true; and

 

4 I recognise the signature on the Acknowledgment of Service as that of my spouse as I have seen it on other occasions.

 

Signature of applicant: Sworn/affirmed at:

Place:Date:

 

Before me:

 signature

 Full name of witness (print)

Justice of the Peace ☐ Other ☐  (Specify)___________________

 

(The witness must also complete and sign the annexure note on the Acknowledgment of Service)”.

___________________

SCHEDULE—continued

8.   Form 21:

8.1   Omit the Form, substitute:

“FORM 21 Order 18, paragraph 15 (2) (b)

Fill in boxes A and C

(see application)

[NAME OF COURT]

Form 21

A. File Number

 

Affidavit of Service

(Divorce)

Court use only

B. Filed at

 Filed on

Family Law Act 1975—Order 18, rule 15

C. Hearing

 date

1. Name of person serving documents

–address

 

-occupation

Family name(Surname) Given names

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________

 

2. Person served (name)

 

Family name (surname) Given names

3. Date documents served

day/month/year

4. What documents were served?

 

Cross box if applicable

(a) ☐ Copy of application for divorce, stamped with the Court seal

(b) ☐ Form of Acknowledgment of Service

(c)“☐ Marriage, Families and Separation” brochure (Order 25, rule 3)

(d) ☐ Other (give details):

  

SCHEDULE—continued

 

FORM 21—continued

 

5. How were they served on the person?

   

Cross box if applicable

You may omit or delete

inapplicable items

I handed them to the person at (give address)________________________ ☐

 

I saw the person sign the attached Acknowledgment of Service

 ☐

 

I attempted to hand them to the person at___________________________________.

  The person refused to accept them.  I put them down and left them in the presence of the person and said to the person: ________________________ _______________________________________ ☐

I posted them by pre-paid post in an envelope addressed to the person at (give address): _______________________________________ ☐

6. How was the person identified?

 

Cross box if applicable

Do not complete if service was by post

You may omit or delete inapplicable items

I know the person ☐

The person is shown in the attached photograph ☐

I had the following conversation with the person on (date):___________________ (set out conversation with the person):

  

   ☐

SCHEDULE—continued

 

FORM 21—continued

 

I swear/affirm that the facts set out are true.

Signature of person in 1:

 Sworn/affirmed:

Place:Date//

 Before me—signature

 Full name of witness (print)

Justice of the Peace ☐         Other ☐ (Specify)___________________

(The witness must also complete and sign an annexure note on the Acknowledgment of Service or photograph (if applicable).)”.

__________________

SCHEDULE—continued

 

9.   Form 22:

9.1   Omit the Form, substitute:

 

“FORM 22 Order 18, paragraph 15 (2) (c)

 

Fill in boxes A and C

[NAME OF COURT]

Form 22

A. File Number

 

Affidavit of service

Court use only

B. Filed at

 Filed on

Family Law Rules—Order 18, rule 15

C. Hearing date

1. Name of person serving documents

–address

 

-occupation

Family name (surname)  Given names

 

2. Person served (name)

 

Surname (Family Name) Given names

3 Date documents served

 / /       /

4. What documents were served?

 
  • Cross box if applicable.

    You may omit or delete those inapplicable

(a) Copy of application for___________________________________stamped with the Court seal

 ☐

(b)

 Affidavit of ____________________________

_________________sworn/affirmed on _______ ☐

(c) Form of Acknowledgment of Service ☐

(d) “Marriage, Families and Separation” brochure (Order 25, rule 3) ☐

(e) Mediation brochure (Order 25A, rule 21)

 ☐ (give details):

(f) Other

 ☐

  

SCHEDULE—continued

 

FORM 22—continued

5. How were they served on the person?

  
  • Cross box if applicable

    You may omit or delete those inapplicable

I handed them to the person at (give address):________________________________

_______________________________________ ☐

 

I posted them by pre-paid post in an envelope addressed to the person at (give address):

________________________________________________________________________________ ☐

 

I delivered them to the address for service of the person at (give address) :_____________________

_______________________________________ ☐

 

I faxed them to the fax number in the person’s address for service: _(___)___________________

 

Other (specify):___________________________________________________________________ ☐

 

6 How was the person identified?

 

(Complete only if documents handed to person served)

  • Cross box if applicable.

    You may omit or delete those inapplicable.

☐ I know the person

☐ The person is shown in the attached photograph   

☐ I saw the person sign the Acknowledgment of Service attached

☐ I had the following conversation with the person on (date):_________________(set out conversation relating to the person’s identity):

  

SCHEDULE—continued

 

FORM 22—continued

 

I swear/affirm that the facts set out are true.

 

Signature of person in 1: Sworn/affirmed :

Place:Date//

 Before me—signature

 Full name of witness (print)

Justice of the Peace ☐ Other ☐ (Specify)___________________

 

(The witness must also complete and sign an annexure note on the Acknowledgment of Service or photograph (if applicable).”.

 

__________________

SCHEDULE—continued

 

 FORM 23 Order 18, subrule 16 (1)

 

Fill in boxes A and B

[NAME OF COURT]

Form 23

A. File Number

Affidavit of proof of signature

Court use only

B. Filed at

 Filed on

Family Law Rules—Order 18, rule 16

C. Hearing date

Full name

Address

Family name (Surname)

  Given names

  

I swear/affirm that:

1 The attached completed Acknowledgment of Service is signed by (give full name): _____________________________________________________

2 I recognise the signature on the Acknowledgment of Service because I have seen the person sign that way on other occasions.

Signature: Sworn/affirmed:

Place:

Date//

 Before me—signature

 Full name of witness (Print)

Justice of the Peace ☐ Other ☐ (Specify)_____________________

(The witness must also complete and sign an annexure note on the Acknowledgment of Service .)”.

SCHEDULE— continued

10.   Forms 34 and 35:

10.1   Omit the Forms.

PART 2—AMENDMENTS TO PART 3 OF SCHEDULE 2

11.   Item 17:

11.1   Omit “$488”, substitute “$510”.

12.   Item 18:

12.1   Omit “$344”, substitute “$380”.

13.   Item 19:

13.1   Omit “$600”, substitute “$480”.

14.   Item 20:

14.1   Omit “$462”, substitute “$360”.

____________________________________________________________

NOTES

1. Notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 5 December 1994.

2. Statutory Rules 1984 No. 425 as amended by 1985 No. 341; 1986 Nos. 6 and 193; 1987 Nos. 15, 74 and 222; 1988 Nos. 9, 15, 16, 46, 166 and 236; 1989 Nos..49, 65, 175, 201, 266 and 331; 1990 Nos. 20, 74, 348 and 474; 1991 Nos. 122, 414, 475 and 476; 1992 Nos. 8, 45, 161 and 304; 1993 Nos. 51 and 160; 1994 Nos. 25, 58. 59, 60, 61, 62 and 152.

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