The Department of Justice has announced that parties to a contested family violence restraining order (FVRO) need no longer sit in the same courtroom following a reform which has been launched in the Perth Magistrates Court.
Attorney General, John Quigley said shuttle conferencing — where a Magistrates Court Registrar ‘shuttles’ between separate rooms at the court — can enable the parties to reach an agreement without having to go before the Magistrate.
“The aim is to make it easier and less traumatic for victims of family violence to obtain restraining orders,” Mr Quigley said.
He said shuttle conferencing would also be introduced in Fremantle and Joondalup Magistrates Courts later in the year.
“Under this model, FVRO matters need not be listed for a court hearing unless either party opts out of conferencing or a negotiated agreement cannot be reached,” Mr Quigley said.
“Courts will be working to ensure people seek legal advice before objecting to conferencing, so lawyers can explain the benefits and provide advice relevant to the circumstances of the participants.”
He said when a dispute could not be resolved by conferencing, the Registrar might make orders that ensured the matter was ready for a final order hearing, allowing the matter to proceed as quickly as possible.
The Department said shuttle conferencing was part of the family violence reforms passed by State Parliament last year.
To run the program, the Government has allocated $4.7 million over four years to the Department and $2.6 million to Legal Aid, it said.
The Department said shuttle conferencing would be evaluated after two years and potentially expanded to other metropolitan and regional Magistrates Courts.
