Anderson v Child Support Registrar [2025] FCA 1022
The decision of Anderson v Child Support Registrar [2025] FCA 1022 was heard and determined in the Federal Court of Australia, it is relevant to the practise of family law as it relates to both
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Case summaries
Stay sharp with the latest family law case insights. This space brings together real-world examples, commentary and practical takeaways from recent decisions in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
From enforcement missteps to representation pitfalls, these case updates are a quick way to reflect, review, and refine your practice — so you can avoid the mistakes others make.
Padgett [2025] FedCFamC1A 140
Padgett [2025] FedCFamC1A 140 involved proceedings in both the Magistrates Court of Western Australia and the Family Court of Western Australia where a ‘Harmful Proceedings’ Order had been made against the Applicant, Ms Padgett. Prior
Dunne v Lloyd [2025] WASCA 119
Appeals in Western Australia – 11/08/2025
The creation of the then Family Court by the passing of the Family Law Act, 1975, required each of the states to refer their governance of ‘matrimonial causes’ to
Jakobsson & Jakobsson (No 2) [2025] FedCFamC1A 137
The decision in Jakobsson & Jakobsson (No 2) [2025] FedCFamC1A 137 involved a consideration of addbacks post the June 2025 amendments to the Family Law Act (‘FLA’). The matter came before His Honour, Schonell J,
Shinohara & Shinohara [2025] FedCFamC1A 126
Addbacks in property settlement matters had been a part of our landscape for some time. Indeed, a pro forma Balance Sheet that specifically allowed for addbacks was created for use in the then Family Court
Friseal & Friseal [2025] FedCFamC1A 102
At a time when family violence is foremost in our minds and there have been many changes to the legislation to recognise the impact of family violence it seems unusual that a Division 2 Judge
Zyma & Begum (No 2) [2025] FedCFamC1A 109
There are times when the Court makes Orders that are not in fact enforceable. That was the situation in Zyma & Begum (No 2) [2025] FedCFamC1A 109, an appeal before Justice Christie from Division 2
Amiti & Vata [2025] FedCFamC2F 476
The Division 2 case of Amiti & Vata [2025] FedCFamC2F 476 involved two children aged approximately 10 and six by the time of the proceedings in early 2025. The parties had, in fact, been separated
Catlin & Catlin [2025] FedCFamC1A 110
The matter of Catlin & Catlin [2025] FedCFamC1A 110 was an Appeal filed by the husband in respect of the enforcement of property settlement Consent Orders, made on 22 July 2016. As at the date
Oberon & Aquila (No 2) [2025] FedCFamC2F 400
This was a judgment from one of our more recent Division 2 appointments, Judge Colquhoun. Her Honour had made property settlement Orders on 7 February 2024 (“the 2024 Orders”) however, the parties were now in
Shinohara & Shinohara [2025] FedCFamC1A 126
The Full Court confirmed that addbacks are no longer permissible in the traditional sense. Following the commencement of the Family Law Amendment Act 2024, section 79(3)(a)(i) now mandates that only existing legal and equitable rights
Daalman & Daalman – Wrong Path Taken: Review Dismissed, Appeal Denied
Daalman & Daalman [2025] FedCFamC1A 33 was an appeal from a decision of a Div 2 Judge. Orders had been made in the lower proceedings in the absence of the appellant wife, dismissing her Application
Saidov & Saidov – Appealing Orders That No Longer Exist
This was a decision of His Honour, Austin J, where the Appellant mother sought to appeal the refusal of an adjournment application made part way through the trial of the substantive proceedings. The mother had
Rapallino & Dekker – When One Appeal Fails, Don’t File Another
Rapallino & Dekker (No 3) [2025] FedCFamC1A 60 was a decision of His Honour, Aldridge J, in respect of property settlement proceedings that had been before a Division 1 Judge. In those proceedings the Appellant
Isakson & Isakson – The Limits of s65DAAA and a Misguided Appeal
This was another attempted appeal from a Magistrate (Magistrates Court of Western Australia) and involved a s65DAAA matter. It was heard by His Honour, Austin J, and Judgment delivered on 14 March 2025.
Sheridan & Delany – No Case, No Evidence, No Appeal Grounds
This was an appeal before Schonell J from a decision of the Magistrates Court of Western Australia (Magistrates Court), with Judgment delivered on 7 March 2025. It was somewhat strange because the proceedings in the
Demir & Ozden – No Contact Orders Made After 11 Years of Silence
This matter involved a female child, X, who was 13 years of age at the time of the hearing in November 2024. X lived in Melbourne with her father and stepmother whilst the mother lived
Yuan & Song – No Confidence in Either Parent but Status Quo Holds
This was the final hearing of a matter with a long history before the Court and, as such, was Judgment number six. It involved a female child, X, who was 14 years old at the
Bentley & Deleo – When Mum Can’t Support a Relationship with Dad
If you have followed the social science research publications and related case law over the years you will be familiar with the concept of young children, especially those not yet of school age, not spending
Schnur & Urbina – A Case Study in What Not to Do as Counsel
As legal practitioners we are always judged on our conduct, whether it be with our clients, other practitioners or, more seriously, the Court. We are human and bound to err at some point in our