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. 2h ago ·  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?
  2. 4d ago ·  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
  3. Sep 13 ·  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
  4. Sep 6 ·  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
  5. Aug 30 ·  Video

    Ep 22: Patterns we can’t ignore - The data behind domestic violence

    Content warning: This episode discusses domestic and family violence, including statistics relating to domestic violence. If you or someone you know is impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence, support is available from 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or at 1800respect.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. In this episode of This Week in Family Law, we cover the latest updates in Australian family law, including a new LGBTQIA+ Legal Services Hub and a Practice and Procedure Update regarding the National Enforcement List. In Law in Motion, we look at the stats provided in the DV Death Dashboard and how family lawyers can use it to prompt better intake questions, safer separation planning, more careful parenting advice, and more informed evidence preparation. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:36 - What's Up? - Updates in Family Law for this week 7:03 - Law in Motion - The Data Behind Domestic Violence 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: - Practice and Procedure Update- National Enforcement List  - MyBFA: Australia's first online platform for binding financial agreements - LGBTQIA+ Legal Services Hub - Domestic Violence Death Dashboard - NSW domestic violence statistics - Insights into domestic violence-related deaths to inform prevention, policy, and public understanding Links: DV Death Dashboard https://coroners.nsw.gov.au/dvddeath-dashboard.html Support: 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732 NSW Domestic Violence Line - 1800 65 64 63 Practice and Procedure Update - National Enforcement List  https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/news-and-media-centre/updates-profession/nel-0826 Gold Coast Bulliten Article on My BFA https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=GCWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldcoastbulletin.com.au%2Fnews%2Fgold-coast%2Fnew-legaltech-platform-aims-to-disrupt-australias-costly-divorce-agreements%2Fnews-story%2Fd93f85b9bbc814fa20312390c3e5b863&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium MyBFA Website https://mybfa.com.au/about LGBTQIA+ Legal Services Hub https://lsj.com.au/articles/new-legal-service-for-lgbtqia-community-in-new-south-wales/ Anselmo [2026] FedCFamC1A 87  https://jade.io/article/1230447?at.hl=Anselmo+%5B2026%5D+FedCFamC1A+87 FCFCOA Family Law Rules 2021 https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2021L01197/latest/text 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 22: Patterns we can’t ignore - The data behind domestic violence
  6. Aug 23 ·  Video

    Ep 21: Cryptocurrency and hidden assets

    In this episode of This Week in Family Law, we cover the latest updates in Australian family law, including the 2026 NSW Law Society Council Election and the upcoming Rural, Regional and Remote conference. In Law in Motion, we take a deep dive into Cryptocurrency and hidden assets, and look at the four main questions practitioners need to be asking themselves when dealing with these types of assets. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:43 - What's Up? - Updates in Family Law for this week 3:43 - Law in Motion - Cryptocurrency and hidden assets 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: - Legal Aid Practitioner Forum Registrations open - 2026 NSW Law Society Council Election to commence late August - Rural, Regional and Remote conference to be held on 23 October 2026, focusing on the specific needs and challenges of practitioners working in regional or rural areas - Australian Financial Review: Is AI the end of the junior lawyer?  - Practical tips for lawyers grappling with cryptocurrencies and similar types of digital currencies in family law property settlement matters - Australian private ownership of cryptocurrencies and figures in the last 12 months - What warning signs might suggest undisclosed cryptocurrency? - What documents and information should be requested? - What should be examined once disclosure has been received?  - What steps can a lawyer take if a party is hiding cryptocurrencies? Links: Legal Aid Private Practitioner Forum 2026 https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/2136ceb5-e178-43fb-a5a3-b3b7d5ed2c18@3d67f2aa-e325-4657-b420-76837b985d05?source=copyLinkLegacyShareEventDialog&fbclid=IwY2xjawTzOSxwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMG1sQmFmZEVmeGo0YkRmbjBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEebEm2tIMgYHWK4JbnKmQcCO_O72TLzYukEMkZDj4isVCpV6_urm0FjXFxn3M_aem_RFNOU1zrob15re4jx74Mow Rural, Regional and Remote Conference 2026 Registrations https://www.lawsociety.com.au/events/events-calendar/rural-issues-conference-2026 AFR Article: Is AI the end of the junior lawyer https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/is-ai-the-end-of-the-junior-lawyer-20260803-p60kxj Cryptocurrency ownership stats news article https://ritzherald.com/crypto-in-australia-key-statistics-and-trends-to-know-in-2026/ 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 21: Cryptocurrency and hidden assets
  7. Aug 16 ·  Video

    Ep 20: Sofia Vergara's frozen embryo dispute

    In this episode of This Week in Family Law, we cover the latest updates in Australian family law, including the FLS Expert Conference in Canberra, the Law Society of NSW AI Hub Resource and the High Court finding that secret recordings can be used as evidence in DV cases. In Law in Motion, we explore the legalities behind Sofia Vergara's frozen embryo dispute with ex-husband Nick Loeb, plus some similar Australian cases and what Australian family lawyers can take from these cases. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:40 - What's Up? - Updates in Family Law for this week 4:26 - Law in Motion - Sofia Vergara's frozen embryo dispute 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: - Junior lawyer loses job due to TikTok - FLS Expert Conference in Canberra - Law Society of NSW AI Hub Resource  - High Court finds secret recordings can be used as evidence in DV case - Sofia Vergara's frozen embryo dispute - Leena & Leena [2024] case - Piccolo v Piccolo [2017] case Links: FLS Expert Conference in Canberra https://www.lawsociety.com.au/publications-and-resources/AI-legal-professionals High Court finds secret recordings can be used as evidence in DV case https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-06/high-court-win-for-domestic-violence-secret-recording/107006118 Junior lawyer loses job due to TikTok https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/soulsucking-junior-lawyer-sacked-after-tiktok-video/news-story/adfecefc94cd5cfaea340bc095d16d60 FCFCOA Frozen Embryos Case Leena & Leena [2024] FedCFamC1F 135 Family Court of WA Frozen Embryos Case Piccolo v Piccolo [2017] FCWA 167 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 20: Sofia Vergara's frozen embryo dispute
  8. Aug 9 ·  Video

    Ep 19: Hague Convention - What happens when a parent flees with the kids?

    In this episode of This Week in Family Law, we cover the latest updates in Australian family law, including 2026 national and state statistics on marriages and divorces, Webex divorce hearings, and the recent non-compliance case of Catlin and Catlin. In Law in Motion, we explore the Hague Convention cases behind the controversial 60 minutes episode titled 'The Point of No Return' and the court's response to the program. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:30 - What's Up? - Updates in Family Law for this week 7:57 - Law in Motion - Hague Convention 21:25 - Case Note Corner - Catlin and Catlin (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: - National and state statistics on marriages and divorces - Divorce hearings moving to video (Webex) - Rebel Wilson wins defamation battle with Charlotte (Debbie) MacInnes - Changes to Supreme Court administrative arrangements - Hague Convention & international child abduction - The Court responds to 60 Minutes: The Point of No Return - Family violence, child safety & return orders - Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner Links: ABS national and state statistics on marriages and divorces  https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/marriages-and-divorces-australia/latest-release https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/7-interesting-stats-about-australian-marriages-and-divorces-2025 Divorce hearings moving to video https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/news-and-media-centre/updates-profession/divorce-pilot-national-rollout Rebel Wilson wins defamation battle https://lsj.com.au/articles/rebel-wilson-wins-defamation-battle/ Changes to the Supreme Court’s administrative arrangements  https://supremecourt.nsw.gov.au/documents/media/sc20260731.pdf Hague Convention https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/news-and-media-centre/latest-news/hague-report https://www.9now.com.au/60-minutes/season-2026/episode-15 https://lsj.com.au/articles/the-limits-of-the-hague-convention-in-child-abduction-cases/ https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1F/2021/263.html?context=1;query=Department%2520of%2520Communities%2520and%2520Justice%2520&%2520Bamfield;mask_path= https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1F/2022/2.html https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1F/2022/3.html https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1A/2022/35.html?context=1;query=Department%2520of%2520Communities%2520and%2520Justice%2520&%2520Bamfield;mask_path= https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1F/2022/918.html https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/HCATrans/2022/209.html?context=1;query=Department%2520of%2520Communities%2520and%2520Justice%2520&%2520Bamfield;mask_path= https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1F/2022/1077.html?context=1;query=Department%2520of%2520Communities%2520and%2520Justice%2520&%2520Bamfield;mask_path=au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1F https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1F/2024/479.html? https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1A/2024/186.html? https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1A/2024/245.html? https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1F/2025/25.html? https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1F/2025/70.html? https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC2F/2025/1085.html? https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1F/2025/551.html?context=1;query=Halmi%20&%20Halmi%20;mask_path= https://casechat.au/cases/au/department-of-communities-and-justice-austin https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1A/2025/41.html?context=1;query=Moroz%20&%20Moroz%20;mask_path= Catlin & Catlin (No 2) [2026] FedCFamC1A 128 https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FedCFamC1A/2026/128.html?context=1;query=Catlin%20&%20Catlin;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 19: Hague Convention - What happens when a parent flees with the kids?

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.