Jessica delivered a presentation on family law (parenting and financial matters), divorce and domestic violence to staff of Whitsunday Counselling and Support in Cannonvale on 14 December 2021. The slides are available here: Family Law and Domestic Violence.

Dividing Fences

Solicitor Simone Butschle presented the Community Legal Education session on Dividing Fences to Queensland Dispute Resolution Centre mediators on 12 November 2021.

MRCLC Annual Report 2021

You can read all about our Centre, and the services and programs we offer in this year’s Annual Report.  Check it out!

This is a powerpoint presentation delivered by a solicitor on Queensland residential tenancy law. It provides information about the law on starting a tenancy, rights and obligations during a tenancy and how a tenancy can be ended. It also includes information about the temporary arrangements due to COVID and domestic violence. Please click here to view the presentation.

The MRCLC delivered presentations about the general requirements of incorporated associations, including duties of board/management committee members, the 2020 changes to the Associations Incorporation Act (Qld) and upcoming changes to the Act. Click here for a copy of the presentation.

MRCLC’s Annual Report 2020

A ground-breaking new service has been launched to help separating couples reach agreements online. During its launch phase, this service is offered free of charge until 1 January 2021.

amica.gov.au helps couples reach amicable agreements about property and parenting issues without engaging lawyers. It also enables couples to record those agreements in plain language on a secure platform.

This 2-minute video highlights amica’s key features.

amica has the potential to significantly cut legal bills. It guides users through a step-by-step process, and offers them information and support along the way to help them reach an amicable agreement. amica also informs them about other support services.

Parenting and property

amica was created with Commonwealth Government funding and designed with direct input from everyday people who’ve been through everyday family law disputes relating to parenting and property issues.

amica’s interactive calendar helps separated parents to reach agreement, and record their agreement, about the best parenting arrangements for their children.

If couples need to divide their assets, amica’s artificial intelligence can also help. amica provides a suggested split of assets after the AI takes into account:

1. the couple’s assets and circumstances
2. agreements commonly reached by other couples in similar situations
3. how courts generally handle disputes of this nature

amica’s is best suited to couples who have a reasonably amicable relationship and a willingness to communicate online.

How much?

Anyone can use the amica website to get free information about family law issues at any time.  Until the end of 2020 amica’s dispute resolution feature is also free. From January 2021 there will be a nominal fee for this feature (between $165 and $440 per couple) but it will be waived for users who receive a Centrelink income support payment.

amica was created by National Legal Aid and can be used by a broad range of people. Find out more at amica.gov.au

Being alert to elder abuse in our communities is always important, especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research shows family violence often increases during major crises and disruptions, which means some older Queenslanders may be at increased risk of abuse at this time. Social and physical isolation, or shared living space with a person who may behave abusively, could heighten the risks.

Elder abuse is a single or repeated act — or lack of appropriate action — occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. Most cases of elder abuse occur within family relationships.

Elder abuse can be perpetrated in various forms — as physical, emotional/psychological, financial or sexual abuse, or neglect.

Now is a time when we need to look out for each other, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

If you suspect that an older person you know is being abused, or are experiencing elder abuse yourself, phone the Elder Abuse Helpline on 1300 651 192 — anyone can make the call.  

The helpline remains open and available (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday) during the pandemic to provide confidential information, advice and referrals.

For more information about elder abuse, visit www.qld.gov.au/knowthesigns

Click here for further information on elder abuse and COVID-19: Elder Abuse and covid19 Fact sheet.

On 11 November 2019 we delivered a presentation to workers of community and government organisations at the Mackay Women’s Service about assisting tenants and occupants affected by domestic violence. The below powerpoint slides provide general information about options a person experiencing domestic violence should consider in relation to their rental accommodation. For example, it includes information on how to terminate the lease, be replaced as a tenant, or to become the sole tenant on the lease.

Advice should be obtained before acting on the information contained in this presentation as there may be other factors that should be taken into account. Further information about tenancy matters can be found on QSTARS website at https://qstars.org.au/.

Please note that laws change from time to time and there is currently a review of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act (2008).

Tenants Affected by Domestic Violence 2019