Applying for grants under the Family Violence and Cross Examination of Parties Scheme

Under section 102NA of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), personal cross-examination is not permitted where there are allegations of family violence.

We may provide a grant of legal assistance for a party in these type of proceedings where an order by the court has been made under section 102NA, and other criteria have been met under the Family Violence and Cross-Examination of Parties Scheme.

Our VLA Handbook sets out the conditions that apply to these grants, and the fees that are payable for matters funded under this scheme, including:

• trial preparation
• trial days for all days listed (not limited to cross-examination)
• conferences with the client for up to three hours
• VLA Family Dispute Resolution Service for up to one conference (subject to our assessment)
• interim contest preparation and appearance where personal cross-examination may occur.

For more information about these grants, contact our Grants and Quality Assurance team at crossxnscheme@vla.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9269 0600.