The Court has always viewed the welfare of children and their best interests as most important.
Over the decades, this has led to various strategies to identify and deal with cases involving family violence. Most recently, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has introduced the Lighthouse Project.
The Lighthouse Project supports the Court’s objectives which include to identify family violence and other risks, being a tailored case management approach, including a special list (Evatt List) to improve outcome, keep children and vulnerable parties safe.
Parties in Court proceedings are encouraged to undertake a confidential Family DOORS Triage questionnaire which screens for risk factors. Tailored case management is then adopted. High levels of risk matters will be placed into a specialized Evatt List, medium to low level risk cases to ensure that essential information is gathered and directing parties to early dispute resolution is safe to do so.
The Evatt List case management ensures that the most vulnerable families are provided with case management pathways that ensure effective and efficient response to minimize the risk of further trauma and harm. All judicial officers supporting the Evatt List have had specialized training.
Undertaking the screening is confidential, and parties and their lawyers are prohibited from making reference to a party having undertaken screening.
The expansion of the Lighthouse Project and the Evatt List is continuing.
Useful Links:
Lighthouse Overview
Evatt list | Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (fcfcoa.gov.au)
Family DOORS – Detection Of Overall Risk Screen
Lighthouse – Triage Counsellors | Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (fcfcoa.gov.au)
Family Law Practice Direction – Evatt list | Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (fcfcoa.gov.au)
Guide for parties in the Evatt List | Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (fcfcoa.gov.au)
Pearsons Lawyers
This is general advice only. Pearsons Lawyers have a team of specialist family lawyers who can provide timely and accurate advice on all matters that need to be dealt with following a separation including parenting and property matters. To arrange your first appointment contact Pearsons Lawyers today on 1300 699 688 and “know where you stand”.
