Family Law Pathways Network
Building relationships and knowledge
The Family Law Pathways Network (The Network) is funded by the Attorney General’s Department and aims to support professionals working in the family law sector by building strong working relationships and facilitating referrals across the sector. The Network provides training, events, and resources relevant to the profession.
There are two Networks in Tasmania – Greater Hobart and Launceston and Northern Tasmania. Both are governed by a steering committee made up of professionals working across the family law sector including lawyers, social workers, family mediators, counsellors and representatives from the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court. Our members have a wealth of experience supporting separated and separating families and they seek to share their services and knowledge with other professionals to create better outcomes for Tasmanian families.
The Network provides training, events, and resources relevant to the profession.
The Network hosted nine events this year, with the first taking place at Parliament House in Hobart, sponsored by the then Attorney-General, the Hon. Elise Archer MP. The event focused on the recent family violence law reforms to inform Network members of how the changes to the criminal code regarding ‘stealthing’ and non-fatal strangulation would impact the broader family law sector. Guest speakers included the Attorney-General, and Deborah Thomson, who spoke of her lived experience and advocacy to help see the reforms come to pass. James Oxley of Tasmania Legal Aid also presented on legislative changes and shared his legal experience with members.
The event focused on the recent family violence law reforms to inform Network members of how the changes to the criminal code regarding ‘stealthing’ and non-fatal strangulation would impact the broader family law sector.
Another highlight this year was the Happy Lawyer, Happy Life events in Hobart and Launceston. The full-day professional development events featured guest presenters Clarissa Rayward, known as the ‘Happy Family Lawyer’ and Director of the Brisbane Family Law Centre, and the Hon. Colin Forrest SC, retired Family Law Court Judge, Barrister, Arbitrator and Mediator. The sessions included topics on how to improve the experience and outcomes for separating families, the benefits of collaborative practice and how professionals can maintain health and wellness in this challenging area of practice. Attendees included private legal practitioners, mediators, family violence advocacy support practitioners, community legal representatives and service providers.
The sessions included topics on how to improve the experience and outcomes for separating families …
The events were a huge success and provided Tasmanian family law professionals with valuable opportunities to connect and exchange knowledge with their peers in the legal industry. These gatherings created positive relationships among the participants, allowing them to engage and learn from one another effectively. The networking also emphasised the need to work across services to help address the challenges being experienced by many Tasmanians, including the lack of emergency accommodation services and barriers to seeking legal aid.
Feedback from attendees included:
Honestly, one of the best CPD events I’ve ever attended.
Great initiative by Family Law Pathways Network.
I thoroughly enjoyed the event – I am pleased to have learnt a few things and better understood where I should refer others to Arbitration. I also appreciated the Family Report writing. Well done to the committee really great spot for the event and great context. Congratulations.