Angela Harbinson is the founder and CEO of The Separation Guide, an independent platform that helps Australians navigate the legal, financial, and emotional aspects of separation. With a background in strategic marketing and leadership, she launched the platform in 2019 to provide clarity, connect people with trusted professionals, and reduce conflict during one of life’s most challenging transitions.
Since a tranche of further amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (“the Act”) took effect on 10 June 2025, the legislative framework governing family law proceedings in Australia has confirmed that family violence is a relevant consideration in the determination of both parenting and property disputes.
“Anna Wynne is a lawyer, nationally accredited mediator, and registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner based in Canberra, working with clients all over Australia. She’s worked in private practice, at a community legal centre, and at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, before starting her own practice. Anna is passionate about helping families find a better way through conflict—one that’s practical, respectful, and keeps people out of court where possible. She’s also a collaborative coach and loves sharing the benefits of dispute resolution, along with the skills that make it work. Her approach is warm, clear, and always client-focused.”
In an industry where precision and compliance are non-negotiable, FamDraft has emerged as a game-changer for Australian family lawyers.
Designed by the Family Law Education Network (FLEN), this all-inclusive membership delivers the ultimate suite of family law precedents, workflows, and checklists — empowering firms to achieve consistency, compliance, and quality in every matter.
At its core, FamDraft is more than a collection of documents; it’s a strategic practice solution built by family lawyers, for family lawyers. It represents a quiet revolution in how legal professionals deliver services — reducing risk, boosting efficiency, and restoring balance to the demanding rhythm of legal practice.
Over the past two decades, as a psychiatrist, I have had the privilege—and challenge—of working with traumatised individuals across diverse settings: the public health system, correctional facilities, military and veteran populations, and now the Family Court space. Throughout this journey, classical psychoanalytic concepts have provided both theoretical grounding and practical wisdom for navigating the complex terrain of trauma work.
Former family lawyer Amanda Kerdel sat down with Victoria Moss to discuss her inspiring journey from practising law to joining the fast-growing legal tech company JustFund. In this candid conversation, Amanda opens up about her motivations, challenges, and how she’s found purpose in redefining access to justice—while balancing motherhood, mindfulness, and meaningful work.
I’ve been a legal secretary, paralegal or executive assistant for most of my adult life (far longer than I care to admit). It’s not just something I do — it’s who I am.
Retention and attrition are natural forces in any profession. But in family law—where firms are often small and built on tight-knit teams, complementary skill sets, and deeply held relationships—the departure of key staff can feel like a gut punch. Losing multiple senior staff in quick succession can be a knockout blow.
In an industry often synonymous with high stress and burnout, Umbrella Family Law is challenging the status quo. Founded in 2018 by Jane and Eve—two lawyers determined to practise differently—this Melbourne-based family law firm is proof that compassion and commercial success can coexist.
The recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (“the Act”) have created a robust framework designed to curtail proceedings that are not only unmeritorious and/or vexatious but are harmful. The provisions found in Part XIB of the Act reflect a legislative shift towards providing safeguards to litigants and children from being subjected to the collateral damage that arises due to litigation. This article briefly contrasts the legislative frameworks in relation to vexatious proceedings, summary dismissal and harmful proceedings, before diving further into the latter. To achieve this, we examine what constitutes harm under s 102QAB of the Act, how the harmful proceedings provisions have been applied since their introduction and speculate about future directions in this space.
Angela Harbinson is the founder and CEO of The Separation Guide, an independent platform that helps Australians navigate the legal, financial, and emotional aspects of separation. With a background in strategic marketing and leadership, she launched the platform in 2019 to provide clarity, connect people with trusted professionals, and reduce conflict during one of life’s most challenging transitions.
Since a tranche of further amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (“the Act”) took effect on 10 June 2025, the legislative framework governing family law proceedings in Australia has confirmed that family violence is a relevant consideration in the determination of both parenting and property disputes.
“Anna Wynne is a lawyer, nationally accredited mediator, and registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner based in Canberra, working with clients all over Australia. She’s worked in private practice, at a community legal centre, and at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, before starting her own practice. Anna is passionate about helping families find a better way through conflict—one that’s practical, respectful, and keeps people out of court where possible. She’s also a collaborative coach and loves sharing the benefits of dispute resolution, along with the skills that make it work. Her approach is warm, clear, and always client-focused.”
In an industry where precision and compliance are non-negotiable, FamDraft has emerged as a game-changer for Australian family lawyers.
Designed by the Family Law Education Network (FLEN), this all-inclusive membership delivers the ultimate suite of family law precedents, workflows, and checklists — empowering firms to achieve consistency, compliance, and quality in every matter.
At its core, FamDraft is more than a collection of documents; it’s a strategic practice solution built by family lawyers, for family lawyers. It represents a quiet revolution in how legal professionals deliver services — reducing risk, boosting efficiency, and restoring balance to the demanding rhythm of legal practice.
Over the past two decades, as a psychiatrist, I have had the privilege—and challenge—of working with traumatised individuals across diverse settings: the public health system, correctional facilities, military and veteran populations, and now the Family Court space. Throughout this journey, classical psychoanalytic concepts have provided both theoretical grounding and practical wisdom for navigating the complex terrain of trauma work.
Former family lawyer Amanda Kerdel sat down with Victoria Moss to discuss her inspiring journey from practising law to joining the fast-growing legal tech company JustFund. In this candid conversation, Amanda opens up about her motivations, challenges, and how she’s found purpose in redefining access to justice—while balancing motherhood, mindfulness, and meaningful work.
I’ve been a legal secretary, paralegal or executive assistant for most of my adult life (far longer than I care to admit). It’s not just something I do — it’s who I am.
Retention and attrition are natural forces in any profession. But in family law—where firms are often small and built on tight-knit teams, complementary skill sets, and deeply held relationships—the departure of key staff can feel like a gut punch. Losing multiple senior staff in quick succession can be a knockout blow.
In an industry often synonymous with high stress and burnout, Umbrella Family Law is challenging the status quo. Founded in 2018 by Jane and Eve—two lawyers determined to practise differently—this Melbourne-based family law firm is proof that compassion and commercial success can coexist.
The recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (“the Act”) have created a robust framework designed to curtail proceedings that are not only unmeritorious and/or vexatious but are harmful. The provisions found in Part XIB of the Act reflect a legislative shift towards providing safeguards to litigants and children from being subjected to the collateral damage that arises due to litigation. This article briefly contrasts the legislative frameworks in relation to vexatious proceedings, summary dismissal and harmful proceedings, before diving further into the latter. To achieve this, we examine what constitutes harm under s 102QAB of the Act, how the harmful proceedings provisions have been applied since their introduction and speculate about future directions in this space.
