EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Statutory Rules 1986 No. 322
Issued by the authority of the Attorney-General
FAMILY LAW (JUDGES) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT)
Sub-section 21(3) of the Family Law Act 1975 provides that the Family Court of Australia is to consist of a Chief Judge and Senior Judges and other Judges, not exceeding 6 in total, or such greater number as may be prescribed by regulations from time to time. The Family Law (Judges) Regulations, prior to the above amendment, prescribed this number as 47. The above Statutory Rules provide an increase in the maximum number prescribed from 47 to 54.
The purpose of the increase is twofold. It will enable appointments of successors for a number of retiring Judges of the Family Court of Australia for a short period of time before their retirement. It will also enable the appointment of the four puisne Judges of the Family Court of Western Australia as Judges of the Family Court of Australia.
(Authorized by the
Attorney-General)