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Family matters to top the agenda

Date : 12 Oct 2011

Media release

Family law matters are top on the agenda at a free Victoria Legal Aid seminar to be held on Friday 21 October 2011.

'Family law sadly touches many people’s lives,' said Elissa Scott, managing lawyer at Victoria Legal Aid’s Frankston office.

'Bringing together many aspects of it, the "family matters" seminar will look at new developments, such as better protection for children and families at risk of family violence and abuse; the state of play in cases involving separated or divorced people who are working out shared parenting arrangements; and family violence court proceedings.

'In 2010–11, we saw a 5.8% statewide increase in demand for help with resolving child protection issues, a 3.0% increase in family violence matters, and an 8.3% increase in matters involving an independent children’s lawyer. In the Frankston area specifically, we helped over 1200 people with family law-related problems,' said Ms Scott.

'With demand for family law assistance on the increase, the seminar will interest legal and community support workers, and anyone else who works with people who may be victims of family violence or who are caught up in child protection or shared parenting disputes.'

The keynote speaker is Judge Mushin of the Family Court of Australia. Guest speakers include Federal Magistrate Phipps, Magistrate Graeme Keil of Frankston Magistrates’ Court, Dr Renata Alexander from Monash University Faculty of Law, and representatives from Victoria Legal Aid, the Frankston Family Relationship Centre and Peninsula Community Legal Centre.

The seminar will be held at Frankston Arts Centre, Davey Street, Frankston on Friday 21 October, 8.45 am to 3.15 pm. Bookings are essential. To register your attendance, call Roslyn on (03) 9784 5222.

A Victoria Legal Aid office is located at corner O’Grady Avenue and Dandenong Road, Frankston. For free legal information over the phone, call (03) 9269 0120 (8.45 am to 5.15 pm, Monday to Friday).

More information

If you have a media enquiry, please contact Paula Wilson on (03) 9269 0620.