Journal article
Writing family law judgements for children
Melbourne University Law Review, Vol.First online(48(2)), pp.1-48
07/2025
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41 Record Views
Abstract
This article examines the practice of Australian family law judicial officers writing judgments for children. Just three published judgments to date in proceedings under pt VII of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) have contemplated children as an audience. Informed by a children’s rights-based approach, the article articulates the nexus between children’s participation in court proceedings and effective communication of the court’s decision and reasoning. It explains the value of, and identifies barriers to, judicial officers writing judgments for children in Australian family law. Finally, the article proposes five overarching principles that may guide the development of resources to support this judicial practice. Amidst a climate of family law reform, this article prompts discussion about the role of judgments for children as a strategy for improving children’s experiences of participation.
Details
- Title
- Writing family law judgements for children
- Creators
- Georgina Dimopoulos - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Melbourne University Law Review, Vol.First online(48(2)), pp.1-48
- Publisher
- Melbourne University Law Review Association Inc.
- Identifiers
- 991013299428102368
- Academic Unit
- Centre for Children and Young People; Faculty of Business, Law and Arts; Law
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article