Family Court to prioritise cases involving children or family violence

As coronavirus causes major disruption to all areas of life, Queensland’s Family Court has announced how it plans to operate during the pandemic.

MORE Family Court cases will be heard by phone or videoconference and cases involving children or family violence will be prioritised.

A Family Court and Federal Circuit Court spokeswoman said judges would continue to hear cases “at this stage’’.

“There are potentially very serious impacts on families if there are extended delays in dealing with family law matters, particularly cases relating to parenting and the living arrangements of children, and cases involving issues of risk and family violence,’’ she said.

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Family Court judges have been encouraged to hear more cases by phone or videoconferencing.

“At this stage all current listings will continue to be heard, however, judges and registrars are being encouraged to hear matters using telephone or videoconferencing where appropriate.

“The courts are actively reviewing the caseload for the coming weeks and months and are developing contingency plans to ensure that cases can be prioritised, should the current situation escalate.’’

The spokeswoman said that call-overs – where judges here dozens of short cases in a day – were being “staggered in time and distance to ensure that the number of people attending Court at any one time is minimised.’’

In Queensland’s criminal and civil courts, existing trials will continue, but the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland, Justice Catherine Holmes and the Chief Judge of the District Court, Judge Kerry O’Brien, today suspended all new trials requiring a jury.

Criminal trials that have already started before a jury in the Supreme and District Courts will continue until their conclusion.

A court spokeswoman said jurors with a summons to attend court should first phone the number shown on their summons.

“Other cases will proceed, but the courts are considering further adjustments to their procedures in order to deal with the challenges posed by

COVID-19,’’ she said.

“The courts will continue to monitor closely the advice being provided by government health authorities and act accordingly.

“Community safety will always be a priority.’’