Family matter lists
There are three practitioner lists for family law matters. It may be possible to obtain grants of aid to cover two Dispute Resolution conferences where a family law matter involves disagreement about both children and property. Where possible, Legal Aid WA will try to allocate the grants to the same chairperson for each conference.
The eligibility criteria to become a member of each of these three lists are set out on this page. The links below will take you to the names of private practitioners who are currently members of each list:
Independent Children’s Lawyer and Child Representative List
Practitioners on this list can be assigned grants of aid to act as an Independent Children’s Lawyer in the Family Court of WA, or as a Child Representative in the Children’s Court of WA.
Applicants must demonstrate that they have:
- a current practising certificate
- five years’ post-admission experience as a family lawyer*
- advanced competency in family law and child protection advocacy and negotiation skills, including the ability and preparedness to conduct litigation up to and including trial
- an understanding of child development
- an understanding of the principles and skills required and a capacity to undertake Independent Children’s Lawyer and Child Representative work
- completed the current Independent Children's Lawyer National Training Program
- completed Legal Aid WA's Protection and Care training
- completed Legal Aid WA's Private Practitioners' Cultural Awareness training
- completed Legal Aid WA’s A Panel Practitioner’s Guide to Legal Aid Western Australia training,
- the ability to communicate effectively with children, and
- the ability to communicate effectively with Legal Aid WA clients.
*Practitioners with less than five years’ post-admission experience in family law will be considered for this list if they have another relevant professional qualification and experience (such as a psychologist, social worker, or teacher).
Applicants must provide the names and contact details of two referees, one from each of the following categories:
- a barrister you have briefed in family law or protection matters within the last 3 years
- a social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist you have engaged in a family law matter or child protection matter within the last 3 years
and agree to provide further references as may be considered necessary by Legal Aid WA.
As part of the assessment process, Legal Aid WA will also consider the feedback received from the trainers at the Phase 2 training workshop.
Practitioners may be invited to an interview as part of the application process.
Practitioners who wish to be considered for only Child Representative grants, must demonstrate advanced experience in child protection matters.
Dispute Resolution Chairperson (Children’s matters) List
Practitioners on this list can be assigned grants of aid to facilitate dispute resolution conferences about parenting and children’s issues.
Applicants must demonstrate that they have:
- accreditation as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
- a qualification as a lawyer, psychologist or social worker
- three years’ post-admission experience in law, or three years’ post-graduate experience in their area of qualification
- recent experience in mediating legally assisted family dispute resolution conferences
- recent experience working on a range of family law matters
- an ability to work across different models of legally assisted dispute resolution
- an understanding of the dynamics of family and domestic violence, including the impact on participants in mediation
- experience mediating family law matters where there are allegations of family and domestic violence and/or violence restraining orders in place
- excellent mediation and negotiation skills in family law, and
- the ability to communicate effectively with Legal Aid WA clients.
For lawyers without practice certificates, a copy of your professional indemnity insurance is required. For non-legal applicants, a copy of your professional indemnity insurance is also required.
Practitioners may be invited to an interview as part of the application process.
Dispute Resolution Chairperson (Property Settlement) List
Practitioners on this list can be assigned grants of aid to facilitate dispute resolution conferences about property settlements.
Applicants must demonstrate that they have:
- a qualification as a lawyer
- a current practising certificate
- three years’ post-admission experience in family law
- one of the following:
- accreditation as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
- accreditation under the National Mediator Accreditation System, or
- AIFLAM qualification as a mediation conference chairperson
- recent experience in chairing or facilitating property mediation conferences
- recent experience working on a range of property settlement matters
- an understanding of the dynamics of family and domestic violence, including the impact on participants in mediation
- excellent mediation and negotiation skills in family law, and
- the ability to communicate effectively with Legal Aid WA clients.
For lawyers without practice certificates, a copy of your professional indemnity insurance is required. For non-legal applicants, a copy of your professional indemnity insurance is also required.
Practitioners may be invited to an interview as part of the application process.
More information
- National Legal Aid - Independent Children's Lawyers
- Guidelines for Child Representatives in Protection Proceedings
- Child Representation Child Assessment Form – Children’s Court
Reviewed: 21 May 2024