The Family Law Practitioners Association of Queensland (FLPA) supports the media releases issued by peak bodies the Australian Bar Association and the Law Council of Australia, following the recent judgment in the matter of Stradford (a pseudonym) v Judge Vasta [2023] FCA 1020.
FLPA president and barrister-at-law Rebecca Horsley today encouraged members to review the observations made by Luke Murphy, the President of the Law Council of Australia, and the statement issued by Peter Dunning KC, the President of the Australian Bar Association.
“Some FLPA members have expressed concern as to the impact, and potential delays, which may arise due to a continuation of any sense of uncertainty regarding the limits and extent of judicial immunity as a result of the decision recently handed down in Stradford (a pseudonym) v Judge Vasta [2023] FCA 1020,” Ms Horsley said.
“While FLPA makes no comment as to the particulars of that case, it is recognised that there are potential ramifications which flow from the decision in respect of the work which is presently undertaken by judges in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), as well as Senior Judicial Registrars and Judicial Registrars exercising delegated powers in that court,” Ms Horsley said.
Ms Horsley stated that FLPA agrees that the “issue raised concerning judicial immunity is one of such magnitude that it should be the subject of urgent legislative consideration”.
FLPA is the leading professional body for family law professionals representing more than 1000 family lawyers, barristers and other family law practitioners, in Queensland.
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For further information, please contact: Caroline Thurlow | 0414 565 575 | caroline@altitudepr.com.au