Family Court of Western Australia
The Family Court of Western Australia is a state court that deals with family law. It was established by the passing of the Family Court Act (WA, 1975) and commenced operation in 1976. It is a state family court under section 41 of the Commonwealth Family Law Act 1975, and deals with the same issues as the Commonwealth Family Court, including divorce, marital property settlements, and child custody, and also adoption and surrogacy. Although funded by the Commonwealth Government, it is the only state-based family court in Australia. The reason for the creation of the court as a state court was to bestow additional jurisdiction related to family law on the court, which were beyond the scope of federal power, such as de facto arrangements and adoptions.
| Family Court of Western Australia | |
|---|---|
Building of the Family Court of Western Australia | |
| 31.9589°S 115.8643°E | |
| Established | 1975 |
| Jurisdiction | Western Australia |
| Location | Full time sittings are held in Perth, and a few sittings are held in Albany, Broome, Bunbury, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie |
| Coordinates | 31.9589°S 115.8643°E |
| Composition method | Governor appointed by the recommendation of Cabinet. |
| Authorized by | Parliament of Western Australia via the: Family Court Act 1997 (WA) |
| Appeals to |
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| Judge term length | Mandatory retirement by age 70 |
| Number of positions | 25 |
| Website | www.familycourt.wa.gov.au |
| Chief Judge | |
| Currently | Gail Sutherland |
| Since | 7 Jan 2019 |