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Parents are responsible for looking after their children and protecting them from harm, or the risk of harm, caused by: abuse, including physical, sexual, psychological, and emotional abuse, being exposed to unsafe environments, including family violence, and drug or alcohol abuse, or neglect. There[...]

When making parenting orders, including consent orders, the Family Court expects everyone involved in the case to follow the arrangements.

You must do everything a parenting order says as they are binding court orders. This means taking all reasonable steps to follow the order. There can be serious[...]

This information talks about state offences only, not commonwealth offences.

There are many different state criminal offences contained in a range of statutes including, for example:

• Criminal Code (WA) 
• Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 (WA)
• Restraining Orders Act 1997 (WA)
• Firearms Act 1973 (WA)
• R[...]

A criminal offence may include a traffic offence.

This information will help you understand the consequences of committing and being convicted of a criminal offence, including the type of penalties that might be imposed by a court when it sentences you. It will also help you know about some other[...]

Your criminal record is the formal record of all your criminal convictions. You can ask the police to give you information about what is on your criminal record.

You might need to know about your criminal record when you apply for a job, work as a volunteer, work with children, apply for a security[...]

This webpage has information about moving with children after separation. A parent may wish to move with their child to a different suburb, town, state or country. 

When a parent wants to move with their child a long way from where they usually live, this is known in family law as a 'relocation[...]

If you are a parent responding to a protection and care matter in the Children’s Court, you will want to tell the magistrate and others:

• what you think is best for your child
• what you have to say about the Department of Communities' (sometimes called ‘Child Protection’ or ‘the Department’)[...]

How can Legal Aid WA help?

Our Domestic Violence Legal Unit (DVLU) provides legal assistance and social support services to women, children, and men in same sex relationships about family violence issues. DVLU can provide legal advice and assistance before matters are in court. DVLU also runs a[...]

Disputes with neighbours over fence and other boundary issues can cause long-lasting ill-feeling. Knowing your rights can help you avoid disputes. 

Legal Aid WA does not normally give legal advice on disputes with neighbours unless it involves a restraining order. You may be able to get help with a[...]

Problems can arise with neighbours in a range of situations including excessive or annoying noise, water run-off, and where cars are parked. 

It is always best to see if you can work out any problems with your neighbours in a friendly way. Legal action against neighbours can cause bad relationships[...]

If you are worried that your ex-partner (or another person) may try to remove your child or children from Australia and not return, you should get urgent legal advice. You may need to make an urgent application to the Family Court of WA to ask for orders to try and prevent your child being removed[...]

If you are in immediate danger, phone 000. For non-emergency help from police call, 131 444.

If you are experiencing family violence there are free Legal Aid WA specialist services which can help. 

This information will help you understand:

• what Legal Aid WA services are available
• what each[...]

If you have not been before, you may be anxious about going to court. If you have a case at court, there are steps you can take to be more in control.

In some cases, information is available to help you, especially if you don’t have a lawyer.

This webpage has information on what to do if you are[...]

Family violence is behaviour of a family member that makes you fearful, makes you do things you don’t want to, or is used to control you.

If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For non-emergency help from the police, call 131 444.

Quick Answers Video: What is family violence?

Do[...]

Family violence is not acceptable in Australia. If you or a family member have experienced family violence, you and your family do not have to stay in a violent relationship to stay in Australia. There are special rules about how the Department of Home Affairs (Immigration and Citizenship) deal with[...]