The Family Law Court has undergone some significant changes over the last 12 months, including the creation of the Evatt List to help fast track high risk parenting cases.

The Evatt List is an initiative of the Court where a highly qualified team of Judges, Senior Judicial Registrars, experts, and other legal professionals are allocated to help fast track family law cases that are considered to be high risk.

Family breakdowns are some of the most stressful times that we, as individuals, can go through. The Evatt List has been created to ensure that families are provided with appropriate resources and support to ensure everyone’s safety and wellbeing, while progressing the cases as efficiently as possible.

Only family law matters relating to parenting orders are eligible to be included in the Evatt List. You also have to return a “high risk” screening classification on the Family DOORS Triage Risk Assessment.

The Family DOORS Triage screening is an online risk screening questionnaire that you can complete when you file an Application or Response with the Court. The answers to the questionnaire will produce a category of risk, ranking either low, moderate or high. If the result of the questionnaire is high risk, the matter will likely be placed in the Evatt List.

The Court will use the risk rating to determine the appropriateness of the case management options based on the screening results.

• High risk cases are “Red” cases. These cases will be offered expedited access to a Family Counsellor, who will conduct a follow-up risk assessment and develop safety and wellbeing plans. The Family Counsellor may also include a referral for the Evatt List.
  
• Medium risk cases are “Amber” cases. These cases will usually be offered safety planning via referral to other services. These cases may be referred to participate in family dispute resolution where it is safe to do so.
  
• Low risk are “Green” cases and will most likely be referred to family dispute resolution to resolve the cases as soon as possible. Family dispute resolution aims to avoid costly drawn-out litigation through the family law court system.

If your matter is placed on the Evatt List you can expect your matter to progress through the court process reasonably quickly, with the first court event usually scheduled within 8 to 12 weeks of the initial application.

At this initial hearing the Judge will usually address any urgent issues and decide what information and evidence needs to be gathered to get the case ready for trial. If safe to do so, the Court may also order that you attend Family Dispute Resolution as a means of resolving your family law dispute.

Trials of Evatt List matters are given priority and are usually scheduled within 9 to 12 months of the initial application. At the conclusion of the trial, the Judge will hand down Orders which both parties must comply with.

Whatever stage of the relationship breakdown you currently find yourself in, our experienced family law solicitors can help you navigate the Family Law court process. If you think you are a high risk case please contact us today.