Cooperation
The Listed Entity supports cooperation across the Courts and Tribunal by maintaining relationships with the legal profession, government agencies, other courts, non-government organisations, academia and community groups. These relationships support access to justice, service improvement and more effective information for court and tribunal users.
For the Courts, stakeholder relationships are managed either by the Chief Justice, Chief Judge, judges and the respective CEO and Principal Registrar on behalf of the Chief Justice and Chief Judge. The Courts also host overseas delegations interested in their operations. For the NNTT stakeholder relationships are managed by the President and Native Title Registrar.
The NNTT engages directly with stakeholders including Native Title parties and determined Native Title holders, Commonwealth agencies in the Native Title sector, representative bodies, industry bodies, state departments involved in resources and land use, local councils, and Prescribed Bodies Corporate.
The Registrars, Court Child Experts and other staff of the FCFCOA (Division 1) and the FCFCOA (Division 2) regularly engage with external groups such as local family law networks, legal aid, bar associations and law societies, local practitioners and practitioners’ associations, community legal centres, family relationship centres, community organisations and support groups, child protection agencies, family violence committees and organisations, state courts, universities and police services.
The FCFCOA (Division 1) and the FCFCOA (Division 2) are committed to inclusive, trauma-informed access to justice that responds to diverse communities. The Director – Family Violence/Director – Access, Equity and Inclusion facilitates targeted consultations with organisations representing victim- survivors of family and sexual violence, people with disability or neurodiversity, LGBTIQA+ communities, children and young people, and people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage or living in regional, rural or remote areas. These insights inform initiatives to improve safety, accessibility and user experience.
The FCFCOA (Division 1) and the FCFCOA (Division 2) support Indigenous Family Liaison Officers, who build trust and promote culturally safe engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. They help families navigate the court system and inform access to justice initiatives that reflect the values and needs of First Nations peoples.
Cultural Liaison Officers in the FCFCOA (Division 1) and the FCFCOA (Division 2) engage with culturally and racially marginalised communities through consultations with multicultural community organisations, legal and social support providers, and relevant peak bodies. This work is informing improvements to interpreter coordination, community outreach and service design, helping make court processes more culturally responsive, inclusive and accessible for people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
The Listed Entity supports the Courts and Tribunal in developing tailored responses for priority cohorts facing barriers to justice, through expanding the Indigenous Family Liaison Officer and Cultural Liaison Officer cohorts.
The Listed Entity supports the Courts and Tribunal by providing Court facilities for seminars, workshops and other events, including lectures, ceremonies and legal community activities.
The Listed Entity Security function, including the Marshal and Sheriff of the Courts, works closely with federal, state and territory law enforcement and security services. This supports the execution of family law orders, including child recovery, arrests and the prevention of people, including children, leaving Australia. The Marshal and Sheriff also share timely security information, work with the Commonwealth’s domestic security service on emerging concerns and maintain cooperative relationships with State and Territory Sheriffs to support service and civil enforcement activities.
