Legal Project Management Plan & Checklist
Purpose of this Guide: This comprehensive, practitioner-grade roadmap guides legal professionals through advancing a Parenting Orders application under the strict procedural mandates of the **Family Law Act 1975 (Cth)**, **Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021**, and the **Family Law Practice Direction – Parenting proceedings (FAM-PARENTING)**. It is meticulously designed for senior practitioners navigating the FCFCOA National Case Management pathway.
Jurisdiction: Australia, Queensland, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA). Verify current guidelines on the official Queensland Legislation Registry.
The Process at a Glance: This plan rigidly adheres to the FAM-PARENTING framework. It details rigorous pre-action compliance, the exact suite of originating documents (including the Genuine Steps Certificate and Section 60I Certificate), and the Lighthouse Project risk triage. It systematically dissects the court pathway into its constituent parts: The First Court Event (FCE) for triage and case management, the Interim Hearing for urgent orders, the Child Dispute Services intervention (Child Dispute Conferences and Family Reports), the rigid evidentiary deadlines preceding the Compliance and Readiness Hearing (CRH), and the ultimate Final Hearing. Practitioners should check the official and for regular procedure updates.
* Disclaimer: We're nobody's lawyer, because we aren't lawyers. You are, so you know better than to take legal advice from an app. We also aren't accountants or dog trainers - just digital spirit guides taking zero liability for any of this. This site exists to gather the collective knowledge of practitioners like you. Verify everything and submit your feedback on the Parenting Orders (Applicant) matter plan to improve the playbook. THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, it's a request for input.
This legal matter plan provides a structured workflow for FAMILY_LAW cases, outlining the standard DISPUTE_LITIGATION process. Utilize these tracking templates to manage your legal cases efficiently.
Exhaust pre-action dispute resolution (Section 60I) or establish formal exemptions under Rule 4.01(2) and draft all originating documents to the highest evidentiary standard.
Verify all prerequisite documentation has been obtained, cross-reference against the statutory requirements for this matter type, and confirm compliance with practice direction protocols.
Prepare the relevant forms and supporting materials required under the applicable legislation, ensuring all mandatory fields are completed and all attachments are properly certified.
Draft and dispatch formal correspondence addressing the procedural requirements at this stage, including any required notices, requests for information, or proposals for resolution.
File documents via the Commonwealth Courts Portal, complete the Lighthouse Risk Screen, effect service on the Respondent, and attend the FCE for procedural directions.
Coordinate the collection and review of all financial documentation required for disclosure, including statements, valuations, and supporting schedules as mandated by the rules.
Attend the Interim Hearing to secure necessary interim arrangements, and participate in court-ordered Child Dispute Conferences or external FDR.
Verify all prerequisite documentation has been obtained, cross-reference against the statutory requirements for this matter type, and confirm compliance with practice direction protocols.
Conduct a thorough review of all filed materials to ensure compliance with court requirements, verify service obligations have been met, and prepare for the next procedural milestone.
Assess the strategic considerations for interim applications, prepare supporting evidence, and draft the necessary documentation for urgent or time-sensitive relief sought.
Prepare the relevant forms and supporting materials required under the applicable legislation, ensuring all mandatory fields are completed and all attachments are properly certified.
Draft and dispatch formal correspondence addressing the procedural requirements at this stage, including any required notices, requests for information, or proposals for resolution.