This Week in Family Law

LEAP Family Law

This Week in Family Law is the go-to podcast for busy Australian family lawyers looking to stay updated without the overwhelm. Each week, we discuss the latest industry news, deep dive into family law topics, analyse cases, and answer questions from family lawyers. Whether you’re a family lawyer in Australia, a practitioner working towards CPD, or simply interested in family law, this podcast delivers clear, practical insights in a bite-sized format. Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest developments in Australian family law. New episodes drop every Monday.

  1. 4 days ago ·  Video

    Ep 28: Pets in Family Law - Property or Family?

    In this episode of This Week in Family Law, we cover the latest updates in Australian family law, including the arrest of former Bachelor, Sam Wood, on domestic violence charges and funding for twelve projects designed to address technology-facilitated abuse. In Law in Motion, we break down pets in family law before and after the 2025 amendments, and take a look at the court dog program. In Case Note Corner, we review the 2026 case of Ziskind & Greco (No 2). Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:42 - What's Up? - Updates in Family Law for this week 5:15 - Pets in Family Law 16:48 - Case Note Corner - Ziskind & Greco (No 2) Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for general information and discussion purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and should not be relied on as such. The views expressed are general in nature and may not apply to your specific circumstances. You should seek independent legal advice before acting on any information discussed. About the podcast: This Week in Family Law is the go-to podcast for busy Australian family lawyers looking to stay updated without the overwhelm. Whether you’re a family lawyer in Australia, a practitioner working towards CPD, or simply interested in family law, this podcast delivers clear, practical insights in a bite-sized format. Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest developments in Australian family law. New episodes drop every Monday. Topics covered in this episode: - Former Bachelor star Sam Wood arrested - 20 new Senior Counsel appointed in NSW - Preventing technology-facilitated abuse of women and children - How pets were treated under Australian family law before the 2025 amendments - What changed for companion animals under the 2025 family law reforms - What orders the Court can now make about companion animals - Why shared pet care arrangements remain unavailable - The factors the Court considers when deciding ownership of a companion animal - How Australia’s approach to pets compares with Spain’s recognition of animals as sentient beings - Court dogs: what they are, how they assist court users and how their presence can be requested - Ziskind & Greco (No 2) [2026] FedCFamC1F 378 - How the Court applied the new companion animal provisions in Ziskind & Greco - The Court’s comments on facilitating ongoing contact with “E” the dog Links 20 new senior counsel appointed in NSW https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/biglaw/45139-20-new-silks-named-in-nsw Preventing tech-based abuse of women and children https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/media-release/preventing-tech-based-abuse-women-and-children Grunseth & Wighton [2022] FedCFamC1A 132 https://austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1A/2022/132.html?context=1;query=[2022]%20FedCFamC1A%20132%20;mask_path= Solberg & Wexler [2026] FedCFamC1F 388 https://austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1F/2026/388.html?context=1;query=%20[2026]%20FedCFamC1F%20388%20%20%20;mask_path= Wright & Berger [2025] FedCFamC2F 1315 https://austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC2F/2025/1315.html?context=1;query=[2025]%20FedCFamC2F%201315%20%20;mask_path= Ziskind & Greco (No 2) [2026] FedCFamC1F 378 https://austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1F/2026/378.html?context=1;query=%20[2026]%20FedCFamC1F%20378;mask_path= Submit a question or provide feedback: Email: familylawpodcast@leap.com.au YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LEAPAu TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leap.family.law1  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leapfamilylaw/

    Ep 28: Pets in Family Law - Property or Family?

  2. 5 Oct ·  Video

    Ep 27: Fake Evidence, Real Risks - Deepfakes in Family Law

    In this episode of This Week in Family Law, we cover the latest updates in Australian family law, including a new free service to help sexual violence survivors and the QLS 2026 Member Survey. In Law in Motion, we look into AI and Deepfakes in Family Law, the risks involved and how lawyers can approach evidence that may not be legitimate. Plus, in Case Note Corner, we go through a recent case that involved AI generated deepfake images. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:30 - What's Up? - Updates in Family Law for this week 2:47 - AI and Deepfakes in Family Law 16:21 - Case Note Corner - Ikaros & Ivona (No 3) [2026] Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for general information and discussion purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and should not be relied on as such. The views expressed are general in nature and may not apply to your specific circumstances. You should seek independent legal advice before acting on any information discussed. About the podcast: This Week in Family Law is the go-to podcast for busy Australian family lawyers looking to stay updated without the overwhelm. Whether you’re a family lawyer in Australia, a practitioner working towards CPD, or simply interested in family law, this podcast delivers clear, practical insights in a bite-sized format. Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest developments in Australian family law. New episodes drop every Monday. Topics covered in this episode: - Free service to help sexual violence survivors - Queensland Law Society 2026 Member Survey - Law Society of NSW 2026 Annual Members Dinner and Awards Night - What deepfakes are and how they’re created - The risks of deepfakes in parenting proceedings - How AI-generated evidence could impact family law matters - The FCFCOA’s approach to deepfakes and AI-generated material - Practical takeaways for family law practitioners - AI Deepfake Case: Ikaros & Ivona (No 3) [2026] FedCFamC1F 340 (22 May 2026) Links Free service helps sexual violence survivors navigate the justice system https://lsj.com.au/articles/free-service-helps-sexual-violence-survivors-navigate-the-justice-system/ QLS 2026 Member Survey https://www.qls.com.au/news-media-advocacy/2026-member-survey-is-now-open Law Society of NSW 2026 Annual Members Dinner and Awards Night https://www.lawsociety.com.au/events/events-calendar/2026-annual-members-dinner-and-awards-night Ikaros & Ivona (No 3) [2026] FedCFamC1F 340 (22 May 2026) https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1F/2026/340.html?context=1;query=%22Christie%22;mask_path=au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1A+au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1F+au/legis/cth/consol_act+au/legis/cth/num_act+au/legis/cth/repealed_act+au/legis/cth/consol_reg+au/legis/cth/num_reg+au/legis/cth/num_reg_es+au/legis/cth/repealed_reg+au/legis/cth/bill+au/legis/cth/bill_em+au/legis/cth/digest+au/legis/cth/table+au/other/HCAASP+au/other/hca/bulletin+au/other/HCASum+au/cases/cth/HCASL+au/cases/cth/HCATrans+au/other/AUPJCHR+au/other/cth/AUPJCHRARp+au/other/AUOmbIRp+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOCR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOER+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOFTD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOFTR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOGSTA+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOGSTB+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOGSTD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOGSTR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOLCTD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOMTR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOMTROS+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOPGBR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOPR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOPRP+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOSTRNS+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOSTR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOSTD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOSMSFD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOSMSFR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOSMSFPR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOSCD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOSCR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOSD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOSGD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOSGR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOTD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOTR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOTRW+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOITR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOTGD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOTGR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOWETD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATOWETR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODER+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODFTR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODGSTD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODGSTR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODLCTD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODMTR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODMTROS+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODPGBR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODSTD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODSTRNS+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODSMSFR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODSMSFD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODSCD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODSCR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODSD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODSGD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODSGR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODTD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODTR+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODTGD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODWETD+au/other/rulings/ato/ATODWETR Submit a question or provide feedback: Email: familylawpodcast@leap.com.au YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LEAPAu TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leap.family.law1  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leapfamilylaw/

    Ep 27: Fake Evidence, Real Risks - Deepfakes in Family Law

  3. 27 Sept ·  Video

    Ep 26: Running on Empty - Burnout in Family Law

    Content Warning: This episode discusses burnout, workplace stress, mental health, emotional exhaustion and the psychological impacts of working in the legal profession. Some listeners may find these topics distressing. Please take care while listening and seek support if needed. If you or someone you know needs crisis support, contact Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. In this episode of This Week in Family Law, we cover the latest updates in Australian family law, including the passing of two prominent jurists and the latest on the Women in Law Awards. In Law in Motion, we look at burnout in the legal industry, what the research says about it, and how can we address it. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:59 - What's Up? - Updates in Family Law for this week 4:15 - Burnout in the legal industry Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for general information and discussion purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and should not be relied on as such. The views expressed are general in nature and may not apply to your specific circumstances. You should seek independent legal advice before acting on any information discussed. About the podcast: This Week in Family Law is the go-to podcast for busy Australian family lawyers looking to stay updated without the overwhelm. Whether you’re a family lawyer in Australia, a practitioner working towards CPD, or simply interested in family law, this podcast delivers clear, practical insights in a bite-sized format. Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest developments in Australian family law. New episodes drop every Monday. Wellbeing Services for Legal Practitioners NSW: SoWell (Law Society of NSW) - 1800 592 296 VIC: Law Institute of Victoria Member Assistance Program (AccessEAP) - 1800 818 728 VIC (Bar): Victorian Bar Health & Wellbeing Portal - Via the Bar website QLD: QLS LawCare (Converge International) - 1800 177 743 WA: LawCare WA (Law Society of WA) - (08) 9324 8600 (Law Society reception) TAS: LawCare (Converge International) - 1300 687 327 NT: LawCare (EASA) - 1800 193 123 SA: Law Society of SA LawCare - See the Law Society SA website ACT: ACT Law Society Resilience and Wellbeing - See the ACT Law Society website Topics covered in this episode: - The Honourable Mary Gordon has passed away - High Court Justice William Gummow has passed away - 15th Annual Women in Law Awards 2026 - 266 Finalists have been shortlisted, winners announced Thursday 12th November - Burnout in the legal industry - Why family lawyers experience burnout - Research on the prominence of burnout in law - Practical takeaways - how can we address burnout? Links Women in Law Awards 2026 https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/women-in-law-awards/ Mental Health Study from the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/09/new-lawyer-mental-health-study/ Submit a question or provide feedback: Email: familylawpodcast@leap.com.au YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LEAPAu TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leap.family.law1  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leapfamilylaw/

    Ep 26: Running on Empty - Burnout in Family Law

  4. 23 Sept ·  Bonus Video

    Bonus: The Lindsay Clancy Case - Mental Health & Warning Signs

    Content warning: This episode discusses the deaths of children, mental health, postpartum mental illness and other sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. In this bonus episode of This Week in Family Law, we take a look at the Lindsay Clancy case through an Australian family law lens, including some tips for how family lawyers can proceed when faced with similar cases. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:59 - Lindsay Clancy Case Overview 14:58 - Looking at it From a Family Law Perspective Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for general information and discussion purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and should not be relied on as such. The views expressed are general in nature and may not apply to your specific circumstances. You should seek independent legal advice before acting on any information discussed. About the podcast: This Week in Family Law is the go-to podcast for busy Australian family lawyers looking to stay updated without the overwhelm. Whether you’re a family lawyer in Australia, a practitioner working towards CPD, or simply interested in family law, this podcast delivers clear, practical insights in a bite-sized format. Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest developments in Australian family law. New episodes drop every Monday. Topics covered in this episode: - The Lindsay Clancy case - The prosecution and defence arguments - Postpartum psychosis and parental mental health - Public reaction and debate surrounding the case - Mental health concerns in parenting matters - Identifying warning signs and risks to children - When unsupervised contact may no longer be appropriate - How family lawyers can advise clients where a parent’s mental health is a concern - What advice could have been given before the Lindsay Clancy tragedy Submit a question or provide feedback: Email: familylawpodcast@leap.com.au YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LEAPAu TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leap.family.law1  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leapfamilylaw/

    Bonus: The Lindsay Clancy Case - Mental Health & Warning Signs

  5. 20 Sept ·  Video

    Ep 25: Can lawyers build better software than developers?

    In this episode of This Week in Family Law, we cover the latest updates in Australian family law, including and update in the case of Caldwell & Caldwell and an FCFCOA statement in response to media articles published by the Herald Sun and other news outlets. In Law in Motion, we look at the phenomenon of vibe coding and how lawyers can and are using it to create their own software to optimise their workflows and become more efficient. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:39 - What's Up? - Updates in Family Law for this week 3:19 - How lawyers can build software with vibe coding Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for general information and discussion purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and should not be relied on as such. The views expressed are general in nature and may not apply to your specific circumstances. You should seek independent legal advice before acting on any information discussed. About the podcast: This Week in Family Law is the go-to podcast for busy Australian family lawyers looking to stay updated without the overwhelm. Whether you’re a family lawyer in Australia, a practitioner working towards CPD, or simply interested in family law, this podcast delivers clear, practical insights in a bite-sized format. Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest developments in Australian family law. New episodes drop every Monday. Topics covered in this episode: - Case of Caldwell & Caldwell - special leave application dismissed by HCA - FCFCOA statement in response to media articles published by the Herald Sun and other news outlets - Domestic Violence Rental Reforms coming into effect 21 September 2026 - LEAP Family Law - Legal Technology - Legal Software - Legal Tech Innovation - Family Law Workflows - Vibe Coding - AI for Lawyers - Legal Practice Automation - Access and use of AI - Practice Direction 3.3F Education and Understanding Links Caldwell & Caldwell Update https://www.hcourt.gov.au/sites/default/files/eresources/2026-09-10/HCA/Caldwell%20v%20Caldwell%20%26%20Ors%20%28B41-2026%29%20%5B2026%5D%20HCADisp%20215.pdf FCFCOA statement in response to media articles  https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/news-and-media-centre/latest-news/statement-100926 Domestic Violence Rental Reforms  https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/fair-trading/news/changes-to-rental-laws?mkt_tok=ODIyLU9aRC04MzcAAAGkPHkSTgy0q63bPPQ1TQ0e6g3l-onzaO9wQh5aE0K52m9IrrB1yrl0kjxMvMEstEm0CF4nNXKUxXbNunu-CjSKctp0rtEqcrUGRBbwUfLkczc Submit a question or provide feedback: Email: familylawpodcast@leap.com.au YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LEAPAu TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leap.family.law1  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leapfamilylaw/

    Ep 25: Can lawyers build better software than developers?

  6. 16 Sept ·  Bonus Video

    Bonus: National Enforcement List - What family lawyers need to know

    In this bonus episode of This Week in Family Law, The Honourable Garry Watts and family lawyer Amelia Cox speak about the establishment of the new National Enforcement List, with its own dedicated registrar and email filing address, and the complexities of Part 11.1 of the FCFCOA Rules. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:50 - National Enforcement List 19:20 - Outro Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for general information and discussion purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and should not be relied on as such. The views expressed are general in nature and may not apply to your specific circumstances. You should seek independent legal advice before acting on any information discussed. About the podcast: This Week in Family Law is the go-to podcast for busy Australian family lawyers looking to stay updated without the overwhelm. Whether you’re a family lawyer in Australia, a practitioner working towards CPD, or simply interested in family law, this podcast delivers clear, practical insights in a bite-sized format. Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest developments in Australian family law. New episodes drop every Monday. Topics covered in this episode: - National Enforcement List - FCFCOA Rules - Part 11.1 - Family law enforcement - Enforcement of court orders - Enforcement applications - Financial orders - Property orders - Application Enforcement - Enforcement warrants - Third Party Debt Notices - Family law procedure - Court order compliance Submit a question or provide feedback: Email: familylawpodcast@leap.com.au YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LEAPAu TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leap.family.law1  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leapfamilylaw/

    Bonus: National Enforcement List - What family lawyers need to know

  7. 13 Sept ·  Video

    Ep 24: Posted online, used in court: Social media as evidence

    In this episode of This Week in Family Law, we explore the growing role of social media as evidence in family law proceedings. We look at recent cases where social media posts, photos and online activity have been relied upon in Court, and discuss what practitioners need to consider when social media becomes part of a family law matter. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:54 - What's Up? - Updates in Family Law 05:20 - Social Media as Evidence Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for general information and discussion purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and should not be relied on as such. The views expressed are general in nature and may not apply to your specific circumstances. You should seek independent legal advice before acting on any information discussed. About the podcast: This Week in Family Law is the go-to podcast for busy Australian family lawyers looking to stay updated without the overwhelm. Whether you’re a family lawyer in Australia, a practitioner working towards CPD, or simply interested in family law, this podcast delivers clear, practical insights in a bite-sized format. Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest developments in Australian family law. New episodes drop every Monday. Topics covered in this episode: Social media as evidenceSocial media posts in family law proceedingsInstagram and Facebook evidenceOnline activity and court proceedingsAdmissibility of social media evidenceFamily law evidenceRecent family law casesDigital evidenceEvidence gatheringSocial media and parenting mattersSocial media and family law disputes Show Links Legal Aid NSW and UNSW Law & Justice join to provide internship opportunities for future lawyers https://lsj.com.au/articles/legal-aid-nsw-and-unsw-law-justice-join-to-provide-internship-opportunities-for-future-lawyers/ Law firm alliance turns its offices into donation hubs for survivors https://lsj.com.au/articles/domestic-violence-doesnt-stop-at-the-courtroom-door-law-firm-alliance-turns-its-offices-into-donation-hubs-for-survivors/ Why we need more fun at work https://www.liv.asn.au/web/law_institute_journal_and_news/web/lij/year/2026/09september/why-we-need-more-fun-at-work.aspx Law Institute of Victoria Wellbeing Hub https://www.liv.asn.au/wellbeing Irwin & May [2025] FedCFamC2F 628 (15 May 2025) https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC2F/2025/628.html Carlsen & Lind [2024] FedCFamC1F 780 (4 November 2024) https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1F/2024/780.html Reiby & Meadowbank & Anor [2013] FCCA 2040 (11 December 2013) https://austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FCCA/2013/2040.html Submit a question or provide feedback: Email: familylawpodcast@leap.com.au YouTube: @leapau TikTok: @leap.family.law1 Instagram: @leapfamilylaw

    Ep 24: Posted online, used in court: Social media as evidence

  8. 6 Sept ·  Video

    Ep 23: Confessions of anonymous lawyers: Toxic workplaces in law

    Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of toxic workplace environments, bullying, harassment, workplace conflict and the mistreatment of legal professionals. Some listeners may find these topics confronting or distressing. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode of This Week in Family Law, we speak to two lawyers who have been impacted by toxic workplaces in the legal industry, and learn how it affected them and how they coped with the trauma caused by this mistreatment. If you or anyone you know needs support, please contact: 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732 Lifeline - 13 11 14 Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636 Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:52 - Anonymous interview one 11:44 - Anonymous interview two 22:09 - Discussion about toxic workplaces in law Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for general information and discussion purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and should not be relied on as such. The views expressed are general in nature and may not apply to your specific circumstances. You should seek independent legal advice before acting on any information discussed. About the podcast: This Week in Family Law is the go-to podcast for busy Australian family lawyers looking to stay updated without the overwhelm. Whether you’re a family lawyer in Australia, a practitioner working towards CPD, or simply interested in family law, this podcast delivers clear, practical insights in a bite-sized format. Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest developments in Australian family law. New episodes drop every Monday. Topics covered in this episode: - Toxic workplaces - Bad bosses - Toxic law firms,  - Lawyer wellbeing - Workplace bullying - Workplace culture - Law firm culture - Legal careers - Lawyer mental health - Workplace harassment - Burnout in law Submit a question or provide feedback: Email: familylawpodcast@leap.com.au YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LEAPAu TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leap.family.law1  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leapfamilylaw/

    Ep 23: Confessions of anonymous lawyers: Toxic workplaces in law
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

This Week in Family Law is the go-to podcast for busy Australian family lawyers looking to stay updated without the overwhelm. Each week, we discuss the latest industry news, deep dive into family law topics, analyse cases, and answer questions from family lawyers. Whether you’re a family lawyer in Australia, a practitioner working towards CPD, or simply interested in family law, this podcast delivers clear, practical insights in a bite-sized format. Subscribe to stay up to date with the latest developments in Australian family law. New episodes drop every Monday.

Information

  • Creator
    LEAP Family Law
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 This Week in Family Law
  • Show Website
    This Week in Family Law

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