2025 Family Law Conference

A full day conference focusing on the latest family law issues

The Law Society’s Family Law Committee invites you to the annual Family Law Conference, a full-day event designed to explore the latest developments and challenges in family law practice.

This year’s program will feature a series of engaging sessions covering a range of timely and relevant topics, including:

  • Practical litigation strategies from the Canberra bench
  • Insights from family consultants into the preparation and use of family reports
  • Latest and greatest cases, with a Canberra focus
  • Ethical considerations and professional responsibilities

2025 Family Law Conference

Time 

Session Title 

9:00am

Registration opens

9:20am

Welcome and Introduction

9:30am - 10:30am 

Canberra Latest & Greatest
Presented by Beth Morrisroe, Burley Griffin Chambers
1 point in core area 4

Barrister Beth Morrisroe will present on some of the recent Family Law decisions, with a particular focus on Canberra matters. 

10:30am – 10:45am 

Morning Tea 

10:45am - 11:45am 

Addbacks and Property Settlements: Recent Developments and Practical Insights
Presented by Alison Osmand
1 point in core area 4

In this interactive session, Alison Osmand will explore the current role of addbacks in family law property settlements, with a focus on the practical implications of recent case law, including Shinohara and Jakobsson. She will also discuss the impact of recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), using a hypothetical scenario to illustrate how these changes may affect day-to-day practice in both mediation and litigation settings.

11:45am - 12:45pm 

Child-related Family Reports
Presented by Charlotte Morrison, FCFCOA and Jessica Cruise, Legal Aid ACT 
1 point in core area 4

This session explores the purpose and process of child-related family reports in family law matters. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how these reports are prepared, their role in proceedings, and the psychological considerations that inform them. 

12:45pm - 2:00pm  

Lunch 
including a visit from the court dogs and opportunity to make additional donations to the program.

2:00pm - 3:00pm  

Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Presented by Katie Binstock, Thomson Geer
1 point in core area 1

This session will look into some recent ethical challenges encountered by family lawyers, including managing client expectations, confidentiality, and professional boundaries. Using real-world scenarios, we’ll discuss strategies for navigating complex situations while maintaining integrity and compliance with professional obligations.

3:00pm - 3:15pm 

Afternoon tea 

3:15pm - 4:15pm 

Running Litigation Effectively in the FCFCOA
presented by Judicial Registrar Hiles, FCFCOA and Averil Foster, Foster Johnson Family and Collaborative Lawyers
1 point in core area 4

Presented by Judicial Registrar Hiles and Averil Foster, this session offers practical tips for managing family law litigation in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. It covers key procedural steps, compliance expectations, and strategies to keep matters moving

4.15pm - 5:15pm  

Networking
 

In support of wellbeing in the family law system, a portion of the Conference’s proceeds will go towards the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia’s National Court Dog Program. This initiative brings therapy dogs into court environments to provide comfort and support to children and vulnerable court users during proceedings.

  

This event is proudly supported by Vincents

DETAILS

  • When: Wednesday 10 September 2025  I  9:30am - 5:30pm (registration from 9:00am)
  • Where: ACT Law Society  I  Level 1, 5 Constitution Ave, Canberra 
  • Cost: Members - $450, Student Members - $150, Non-members - $630
  • CPD: Members will receive 5 CPD points
  • RSVP: Friday 5 September

Reduced rates may be available to some of our members to ensure equal training opportunities. Please make contact to discuss your eligibility.

 

FCFCOA and Guide Dogs launch National Court Dog Program

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Divisions 1 and 2) ("Court") in partnership with Guide Dogs have set up a fundraising website to support the National Court Dog Program ("Court Dog Program").

The Court Dog Program is an initiative developed to assist children and vulnerable Court users as they navigate Court processes, ensuring they feel supported and confident during their time at Court.

For more information, and to make a donation, please follow this link.

 

MEET THE SPEAKERS

BETH MORRISROEA person wearing glasses and a suitAI-generated content may be incorrect.

BARRISTER  I  BURLEY GRIFFIN CHAMBERS

Beth is a barrister at Burley Griffin Chambers, called to the bar in 2017. She has extensive experience in criminal law, coronial inquests, family law, and appellate matters, and has appeared in the High Court of Australia. Beth has prosecuted and defended serious offences across multiple jurisdictions and previously worked in private practice, Aboriginal legal services, and as Acting Chief Crown Prosecutor. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons), a Master of Laws in International Law, and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Beth actively contributes to law reform through the ACT Bar Council.

 

ALISON OSMAND

MEDIATOR  I  ALISON OSMAND FAMILY MEDIATION

Alison Osmand is a family law specialist with over 30 years of experience, including serving as a Judicial Registrar and Senior Judicial Registrar in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Her time on the bench has provided her with deep insight into the challenges families face during separation and litigation. Alison brings a calm, thoughtful perspective to discussions on family law, informed by decades of legal practice and judicial decision-making.

 

CHARLOTTE MORRISON

SENIOR COURT CHILD EXPERT  I  FEDERAL CIRCUIT AND FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Charlotte has worked as a psychologist with children, young people and families since 2007, including in private practice, child protection, school psychology, out-of-home-care assessment, and as a Regulation 7 Family Consultant. She commenced her role as a Court Child Expert in early 2021, undertook the role of Clinical Practice and Policy Officer in 2023, and is currently the Senior Court Child Expert at the Canberra Registry. Charlotte has maintained a specific interest in attachment processes and early life trauma across her career, and is passionate about ensuring that decisions about children are made with these in mind.

 

JESSICA CRUISE

SPECIAL COUNSEL  I  LEGAL AID ACT

Jessica is Special Counsel of the Family Practice at Legal Aid ACT. She practices in the Federal Circuit and Family Court, predominantly as an Independent Children's Lawyer and in the Children's Court, predominantly as a Child Representative. Jessica is a member of the ACT Law Society's Family Law Committee and Professional Standards Committee. 

 

KATIE BINSTOCK

PARTNER  I  THOMSON GEER

Katie specialises in succession, elder, regulatory, and administrative law. In succession law, she excels in estate planning, administration, and litigation, crafting comprehensive estate plans and guiding clients through disputes. She navigates elder law matters such as guardianship applications and elder abuse suspicions. In regulatory and administrative law, Katie advises on complaint management, investigations, and appeals, representing clients in Tribunals and Courts. With a commercial and solutions-driven approach, she resolves disputes effectively.

 

JUDICIAL REGISTRAR SALLY HILES

JUDICIAL REGISTRAR  I  FEDERAL CIRCUIT AND FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Sally commenced working in family law in 2008 in Newcastle before also taking up a role as a solicitor with a specialist family law firm in Canberra the next year. Immediately prior to joining the Family Law Courts in August 2021, Sally worked as the Deputy Head of Family Law Practice at Legal Aid ACT. She has attained a Master of Laws (Family Law) and is an Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. Sally was an Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) for many years, part of the teaching panel for ICLs nationally and is currently Chair of the ACT ICL Advisory Committee. Sally is a Judicial Registrar of the Federal Circuit and Family Court at the Canberra Registry. 

 

AVERIL FOSTER

PARTNER  I  FOSTER JOHNSON FAMILY AND COLLABORATIVE LAWYERS

Averil started her legal career in Melbourne in the mid 2000’s as an Associate in what was then the Federal Magistrates Court. She has worked at a number of well known and respected private firms in the years between then and now, and is one of the owners of Foster Johnson Family and Collaborative Lawyers. Averil’s skill set is founded upon her can-do attitude, ability to engage with people from all walks of life and her pragmatic and client-focussed approach to conflict resolution. Averil’s passion is to help family law clients resolve their matters.

 

Event registration terms and conditions

ACT Law Society invoices have payment terms of 14 days. Fees are payable upon registration. A 1.2% surcharge may be incurred on payments processed via credit/debit card. The Society reserves the right to cancel or alter events at its discretion, and in such circumstances, attendees will be notified via email. 

Definitions — 'Registration' means any booking given to the Society in writing, on our website, or by phone. 'Member' means any member of the ACT Law Society, including associate members and honorary members. 'New Lawyer' means any member who has held a practising certificate for five years or less. 'CLC' means any member working for a recognised community legal centre, or holding a volunteer practising certificate. 'Student' means any member holding a student membership.

All cancellations must be made in writing, and all cancellations will incur a fee, however, no charge will be incurred for substituting another person. Outside of the cancellation periods given below, a $10 administration fee will be incurred for any cancellation made. If a registered attendee fails to attend without notifying the Society in writing, no credit or refund will be offered and 100% of the total cost will be retained by the Society. 

CPD Events — In the case of CPD events held at an venue other than the Law Society, no refund can be made after the RSVP date of the event. In the case of CPD events held at the Law Society, for cancellations made up to two working days prior to the event, 50% of the total cost will be retained by the Society as a cancellation fee and the balance may be used as a credit towards other CPD events or be refunded. If you choose to keep a credit it will remain valid for 12 months from the event date, after which time it will expire. For cancellations within two working days of the event, no refunds or credits will be applicable. 

Webinars — In the case of live or on-demand webinars, as connection details are sent when registration is completed, no refund or cancellation is available. 

Social events — In the case of social events, no refund can be made after the RSVP date of the event.

Attendees of events consent to filming, photography and sound recording as members of the audience. By registering and attending this event you agree to being filmed or photographed which may be used for marketing or promotional purposes

 

 

Registration

Member Registration $450.00(GST incl.) Register
Non-member registration $630.00(GST incl.) Register
Student registration $150.00(GST incl.) Register

Schedule

Speakers

Sponsors & Supporters

The 2025 Family Law Conference is proudly supported by Vincents.

Vincents is a solutions-focused professional services firm with deep expertise in Forensic, Tax and Advisory.

Having access to an expert to assist you in navigating the financial aspects of family dispute matters is a valuable resource. Vincents provides expert support to legal professionals to navigate accounting, business valuations, structuring and investigation challenges which may arise.

The long-standing relationships they foster are evidence of their ability to provide clients with a clear direction when they need it most.

This deep expertise, client-centric approach, and ability to see the world from every angle sets them apart.

Integrated client outcomes are delivered on a national basis from offices located in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

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