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.
SESSIONS
BEST PRACTISES FOR DEALING WITH SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS
Presented by Kasey Fox (Farrar Gesini Dunn) and Jess Cruise (LegalAid ACT)
1 point in core area 1
Explore effective strategies and best practices for engaging with self-represented individuals in legal proceedings. This session will cover the challenges and ethical considerations of assisting and communicating with unrepresented parties, while ensuring fair access to justice and maintaining professional standards in the courtroom.
MASTERING MEDIATION AND NEGOTIATION: STRATEGIES FOR FAMILY LAW PRACTITIONERS
Panel discussion with Renee Toy (Listen, Talk, Resolve) Debra Parker (Parker Coles Curtis) and Claire Naidu (Claire Naidu & Co)
1 point in core area 3
Effective mediation and negotiation are cornerstones of successful family law practice, offering clients a path to resolution without prolonged litigation. This session provides actionable tips and advanced strategies to enhance your skills in these critical areas. Explore techniques for managing high-conflict situations, building rapport with opposing parties, and crafting creative solutions tailored to family law disputes. Whether you're working with clients on custody, support, or property division, this session will empower you to achieve better outcomes while fostering cooperation and reducing stress for all involved.
UNDERSTANDING AND PRESENTING EVIDENCE OF COERCIVE CONTROL IN FAMILY LAW PROCEEDINGS
Presented by The Honourable Judge Hughes
1 point in core area 4
This session is designed to help solicitors understand the dynamics of coercive and controlling family violence, to recognise when clients may be subject to it, and to present cogent evidence of it in family law proceedings.
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This event is proudly supported by the Vincents |
DETAILS
- When: Wednesday 18 March 2025, 9:00am - 1:00pm (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 3 CPD points
- RSVP by Monday 10 March
- For further information please contact events@actlawsociety.asn.au
More details will be provided shortly.
MEET THE SPEAKERS
More details will be provided shortly
THE HONOURABLE JUDGE HUGHES
FEDERAL CIRCUIT AND FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRALIA
The Hon Judge Kate Hughes was appointed to the (now) Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in January 2006. Her Honour works exclusively in family law.
Prior to Her Honour's appointment, Her Honour worked for 15 years in the legal aid sector, practising in areas of crime, family violence, family law and child protection.
While in practice in the ACT Her Honour was, at different times, a member of the ACT Law Society’s criminal law committee and professional standards committee and chair of the family law committee.
The Hon Judge Hughes is the current chair of the Federal Circuit and Family Courts’ Family Violence Committee.
KASEY FOX
DIRECTOR - FAMILY LAW
FARRAR GESINI DUNN
Co-chair of the ACT Law Society Family Law Committee, Kasey Fox has worked exclusively in family law for the whole of her career and has been a director of Farrar Gesini Dunn for more than 10 years. Specialising in complex financial cases and agreements, as well as multifaceted children's matters, Kasey has extensive experience in both litigation and out of Court solutions. Kasey often recommends Binding Financial Agreements (also known as pre nups) to her clients as a means of asset protection and avoiding future litigation.
DEBRA PARKER
FOUNDING DIRECTOR
PARKER COLES CURTIS
Debra is a specialist family lawyer and the only lawyer in Canberra with Specialist Accreditation in two areas (family law and dispute resolution). She is a qualified arbitrator and collaborative divorce lawyer, and she is the Chair of the Canberra Collaborative Practice Group.
CLAIRE NAIDU
CLAIRE NAIDU & CO
Claire Naidu is a mediator, arbitrator, lawyer, conflict management coach and collaboration coach. She graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom). She also completed a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and a Master of Laws (LLM). Claire is admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales and is registered in the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory and the High Court of Australia.
Claire is accredited as a Family Law Specialist, a nationally recognised Mediator, and Arbitrator. She is also an Independent Children's Lawyer (ICL) and is a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) registered with the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department. Trained in reconciliation and resolution, Claire brings her training and decades of experience and her reflective approach to relationship transitions.
Reduced rates may be available to some of our members to ensure equal training opportunities. Please make contact to discuss your eligibility.
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
Registration
| In-person registration (members) | $200.00(GST incl.) | Register |
| In-person registration (non-members) | $280.00(GST incl.) | Register |
| In-person registration (student member) | $65.00(GST incl.) | Register |
| Live streaming registration (member) | $200.00(GST incl.) | Register |
| Live streaming registration (non-member) | $280.00(GST incl.) | Register |
| Live streaming registration (student member) | $65.00(GST incl.) | Register |
Schedule
Speakers
Sponsors & Supporters
The Family Law Morning is proudly supported by Vincents.
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.
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Physical address: 2/113 Canberra Avenue, Griffith, ACT, 2603
