Join us for a CPD morning focused on family law, offering an insightful overview of key topics and recent developments. This forum is designed for solicitors looking to expand their knowledge and stay updated on important trends and changes in the field. With practical discussions and expert guidance, attendees will gain valuable tools to enhance their practice and better serve clients in family law matters. Don’t miss this opportunity to network and refresh your understanding of essential legal concepts.
Tuesday March 2026SCHEDULE8:30am: Registration opens 9:00am - 10:00am: Valuing the Family Business: Understanding Property Valuations in Family Law 10:00am - 10:20am: Morning Tea 10:20am - 11:20am: What Works Now: Strategic Frameworks for Modern Family Law Practice 11:20am - 12:20pm: Navigating the New ACAT Review Pathway: External Merits Review in Child Protection Matters 12:20pm - 1:20pm: Lunch |
SESSIONS
VALUING THE FAMILY BUSINESS: UNDERSTANDING PROPERTY VALUATIONS IN FAMILY
1 point in core area 3 - professional skills
This CPD seminar focuses on the role of property valuation experts in family law proceedings, particularly where business interests and complex assets are involved.
Property and business valuations play a critical role in achieving fair and equitable outcomes in family law settlements. Whether advising clients in negotiations or preparing for litigation, lawyers must understand how valuations are conducted, what assumptions underpin them, and how to interpret expert reports. This session will provide practical guidance on working effectively with valuation specialists, understanding the legal framework, and preparing for expert evidence in court.
Led by accredited valuation professionals with experience in family law matters, the seminar will explore the intersection between valuation methodology and legal principles, and offer insights into best practices for briefing experts and managing valuation disputes.
Key topics will include:
• The role of property and business valuers in family law proceedings
• Common valuation methods and how they apply to different asset types
• Legal considerations under the Family Law Act when dealing with valuations
• Preparing effective briefs and instructions for valuation experts
• Understanding expert reports and identifying key issues
• Expert witness testimony: what to expect and how to prepare
• Practical tips for managing valuation disputes and cross-examination
MARCUS HON
DIRECTOR OF METRO RESIDENTIAL VALUATIONS SYDNEY AND CANBERRA
ACUMENTIS
Marcus Hon joined Acumentis in 2025 as Director of Metro Residential Valuations for Sydney and Canberra, bringing over 28 years of experience in strategic property advisory and valuation across private, government, community housing, and banking sectors.Prior to Acumentis, Marcus worked with global firms including: JLL, EY, Deloitte and CBRE. His credentials include valuations of real estate property in the residential, commercial, retail, industrial, rural, and mixed-use sector in Canberra, Sydney and regional NSW. Specialising in portfolio valuations, stakeholder engagement, feasibility analysis, and highest and best use assessments, with expertise in due diligence, litigation, mortgage purposes, financial reporting and investment strategies.
WHAT WORKS NOW: STRATEGIC FRAMEWORKS FOR MODERN FAMILY PRACTICE
1 point in core area 3 - professional skills
Unpacking the significant changes to parenting provisions under the Family Law Amendment Act 2023 (Cth), which commenced in May 2024.
These reforms reshape the legal framework for parenting orders, including a new best interests test, the repeal of the presumption of equal shared parental responsibility, and updated guidance on joint decision-making.
This session will provide practical insights into how these amendments impact legal practice, court processes, and the advice practitioners provide to clients.
Key topics will include:
- The new best interests framework under section 60CC, including the standalone consideration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
- The repeal of the presumption of equal shared parental responsibility and its implications
- Updated guidance on joint decision-making and parental responsibility
- Changes to advisers’ obligations under sections 60D and 63DA
- The new section 65DAAA on reconsidering final parenting orders
- Practical considerations for advising clients and preparing parenting plans under the new regime
JENNIFER CRAWLEY
DIRECTOR
NOVERA SOLUTIONS
Jennifer Crawley is a former Senior Judicial Registrar at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA). She has worked in private practice, Legal Aid ACT and the Australian Government Solicitor, and was the Director of National Registrar Operations at the FCFCOA from 2022 until recently leaving the Court in January 2026. Jennifer is now a Director at Novera Solutions, a unique consultancy providing comprehensive services to the legal profession and the broader justice system, including high-quality training and education for lawyers and tailored strategies to support practice excellence within the legal sector.
NAVIGATING THE NEW ACAT REVIEW PATHWAY: EXTERNAL MERITS REVIEW IN CHILD PROTECTION MATTERS
1 point in core area 4 - substantive law and procedural law
This CPD seminar is on the newly introduced external merits review process at the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT).
This reform represents a significant development in the ACT’s child protection legal framework, expanding the rights of affected individuals—including children, parents, carers, and advocates—to seek independent review of key decisions made under the Children and Young People Act 2008. With a strong emphasis on procedural fairness, accessibility, and human rights compliance, the new process introduces important responsibilities and opportunities for legal practitioners advising clients in this space.
Key topics will include:
- The legal framework and scope of the new external merits review process
- Who qualifies as an “affected person” and how to initiate a review
- The interaction between internal and external review mechanisms
- Exceptional circumstances allowing direct access to ACAT
- The participation of children and young people in the review process, including legal representation and litigation guardianship
- The roles of the Public Advocate and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner
- Practical guidance for lawyers supporting clients through the review process
KEVIN ROBINSON
DIRECTOR 
ROBINSON+MCGUINESS FAMILY LAW
Kevin Robinson is a highly regarded family law specialist with over nine years recognized as a Preeminent or Leading Family & Divorce Lawyer in the ACT. He assists clients with property and parenting disputes, Binding Financial Agreements, and complex business structures in relationship breakdowns. An Accredited Collaborative Practitioner and AIFLAM mediator, Kevin prioritizes dignity, children’s welfare, and early resolution. He serves as an Independent Children’s Lawyer and has extensive expertise in care and protection matters. Kevin also advises on estate planning, guardianship, and powers of attorney, drawing on 15 years of experience with the NSW Protective Commissioner.
DETAILS
- When: Tuesday 24 March 2026 I 9:00am - 2:20pm (registration from 8:30am)
- Where: ACT Law Society Training Room, live streaming option available
- Cost: $200 Members, $280 Non-member, $65 Student member
- CPD: Members will earn 4 CPD points
- RSVP by Wednesday 18 March
- For further information please contact events@actlawsociety.asn.au
Reduced rates may be available to some of our members to ensure equal training opportunities. Please make contact to discuss your eligibility.
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This event is proudly supported by Vincents. |
Event registration terms and conditions
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General
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.
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Cancellation policy
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.
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Notice of Filming and Photography
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
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Dietary Requirements
The ACT Law Society and it's external providers for catering takes all precautionary steps to ensure dietary, religious and allergen requirements are met, however ACT Law Society cannot guarantee that allergens will not be present in selected and/or provided food.
Registration
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In-person registration
In-person registration (members) $200.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart In-person registration (non-members) $280.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart In-person registration (student member) $65.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart -
Live streaming registration
Live streaming registration (member) $200.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart Live streaming registration (non-member) $280.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart Live streaming registration (student member) $65.00(GST incl.) Add to Cart
Schedule
Speakers
Sponsors & Supporters
The Family Law Morning 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.
March Mastery is proudly supported by Lawcover and Opteon.
Lawcover is proud to be the primary provider of professional indemnity insurance, claims and risk management education to ACT law practices and we remain focused on continuing to provide enduring insurance protection and claims prevention support to ACT lawyers, while assisting the ACT Law Society in promoting best practice of the law.
Opteon ACT has had a local presence in Canberra since 1985. Opteon offers in-depth property valuations for various purposes, supporting our clients with well-informed, independent, and impartial valuation advice.
Recognised as the largest independent valuation firm in Australia and New Zealand, the depth and breadth of our services speak for themselves. Powered by a network of over 600 valuers servicing 98% of all Australian postcodes from over 80 locations, we offer the geographical reach, local knowledge and technical expertise that is uncomplicated and comprehensive.
How can Opteon assist you and your clients?
Our services and products are delivered across eight (8) national business units:
- Government Services
- Advisory
- Residential
- Tax Depreciation
- Commercial
- Plant & Equipment
- Agribusiness
- Quantity Surveying
The types of valuations we offer to law professionals include:
- Family Law
- Expert Witness
- Capital Gains Tax
- Stamp Duty
- Financial Reporting
- SMSF
- Estate Planning
- Probate
Why Opteon?
Our Geographical Coverage
Opteon Valuers reside and operate in the regions they serve, bringing a unique perspective on local markets and specialised asset classes.
To see how our team can assist you, please contact our office
Phone:
Email: act.quotes@opteonsolutions.com
Physical address: 2/113 Canberra Avenue, Griffith, ACT, 2603
