In 2020, the Family Law Courts and Separation Lawyers were forced to completely shift their mode of operation from face-to-face hearings and paper files, to online hearings and electronic court files, all thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2 years later, in 2022, the Court’s methods have begun to shift into a more hybrid approach to the management of Family Law cases. Many court listings are still being conducted by way of Microsoft Teams, particularly when dealing with more administrative issues. Other court listings are now in-person before the court. The court file remains electronic, requiring parties to upload their court documents by way of the Court’s electronic file management system.
At the commencement of the pandemic, subpoena documents were also shifted to being managed electronically, with the Court encouraging subpoenaed parties to produce their records to the Court electronically to allow for ease of access by the Family Lawyers working on the files. The Court still favours electronic subpoena production and inspection 2 years after the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, the Court’s new hybrid approach is to the benefit of all stakeholders, allowing for the utilisation of technology through online hearings and provision of documents to minimise time and costs to the parties, whilst also bringing back face-to-face court hearings to provide effective management of Family Law cases.
