The list
Family law · BrisbaneSix guides
| Item | Time | Room | Matter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 4 min | The court | The court and its Brisbane registryTwo courts with one front door, and what is where at 119 North Quay. |
| 02 | 5 min | Before filing | Before you fileThe steps the court’s rules require before a property case starts, and the exemptions. |
| 03 | 5 min | Property | Property settlement basicsHow the court approaches dividing property, and the time limits that apply. |
| 04 | 6 min | Safety | Family violence and safety at courtSafety arrangements at the registry, and where to get help. |
| 05 | 5 min | Help | Legal aid and free help in QueenslandLegal Aid Queensland, duty lawyers, FASS and community legal centres. |
| 06 | 5 min | First event | What happens at a first court eventThe first hearing after filing: who runs it, what it is for, and how to prepare. |
The Brisbane registry
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia’s Brisbane registry is in the Harry Gibbs Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 119 North Quay, a short walk from Roma Street railway station. For family law it lists opening hours of 8:45 to 16:30 and phone hours of 8:30 to 17:00, on 1300 352 000.
Two duty lawyer services work in the building for people whose matters are listed that day: Legal Aid Queensland on level 1 and Caxton Legal Centre on level 2. Registry staff can help with forms and the court process, but they cannot give legal advice.
The court and its Brisbane registry has the rest: getting there, what is inside, and how the court’s two divisions fit together.
The path of a property case
Every case is different, but the court publishes the usual sequence. Its stated aim is to resolve 90 per cent of family law cases within 12 months of filing.
- Before filing
Pre-action procedures
Genuine steps to resolve the dispute, a written notice and disclosure, unless an exemption applies. Before you file
- Between 1 and 2 months after filing
First court event
A procedural hearing before a Judicial Registrar, unless the matter is urgent. What happens at a first court event
- Usually within 5 months
Dispute resolution
For property cases at the court, a conciliation conference run by a Judicial Registrar. The practice direction says dispute resolution is usually completed no later than 5 months after the case starts.
- Close to 6 months
Compliance and readiness hearing
For cases heading to a final hearing, listed as close as possible to 6 months after the case starts.
- Where possible, within 12 months
Final hearing
If the parties still cannot settle, a trial before a judge, which the court aims to start within 12 months where possible. Property settlement basics
Time limits matter before any of this: property applications must usually be made within 12 months of a divorce order taking effect, or within two years of a de facto relationship breaking down.
What this guide covers
This guide follows the court, the process and property settlement. Divorce is a completely separate process from property proceedings, and the court explains it on its divorce pages. Arrangements for children have their own section of the court’s site.
Safety comes first throughout. If you have fears for your safety or your children’s, the court’s advice is to contact the police. Family violence and safety at court lists the help lines and what the registry can arrange, and legal aid and free help in Queensland covers where to get advice.
About this guide
brisbanefamilylaw.com.au is a concept website: a guide to the family law process in Brisbane, published by Dotto. It describes the rules and the official services in general terms; it does not tell anyone what to do in their own matter, and it does not describe any real case or person.
Every page is written from official pages, mostly the court’s own, and lists its sources at the foot. Rules, fees and services change, so where this guide and the official pages differ, the official pages are right.