Legal Project Management Plan & Checklist
Purpose of this Guide: Use this fork when representing an applicant where no active parenting proceedings exist in the court registry. This plan guides the practitioner through drafting and filing the Initiating Application (Family Law), the Notice of Child Abuse, Family Violence or Risk (Form Code 0524 V1), the Genuine Steps Certificate, and the supporting Affidavit to seek final parenting orders and urgent interim location and recovery orders.
Verify all prerequisite documentation has been obtained, cross-reference against the statutory requirements for this matter type, and confirm compliance with practice direction protocols.
Jurisdiction: Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA), applying the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and FCFCOA (Family Law) Rules 2021.
The Process at a Glance: Conduct conflicts and intake. Draft the Initiating Application seeking final parenting and interim location orders. File the Genuine Steps Certificate with an FDR urgency exemption. Swear the supporting Case Affidavit and file the Notice of Risk. eFile via the comcourts portal, pay the filing fee, serve the department secretaries at least 7 days before the hearing, and represent the applicant at the ex parte hearing to obtain location and recovery orders.
Key Legislation and Case Law: Family Law Act 1975 (Cth): s 67K (standing), s 67M (location orders), s 67N (Commonwealth information orders), s 67U (recovery orders). FCFCOA (Family Law) Rules 2021: Rule 4.01 (pre-action procedures), Rule 5.11 (ex parte hearing requirements).
* Disclaimer: We're nobody's lawyer, because we aren't lawyers. You are, so you know better than to take legal advice from an app. We also aren't accountants or dog trainers - just digital spirit guides taking zero liability for any of this. This site exists to gather the collective knowledge of practitioners like you. Verify everything and submit your feedback on the Location and Commonwealth Information Orders (Applicant) - Initiating Application - No Active parenting proceedings matter plan to improve the playbook. THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, it's a request for input.
This legal matter plan provides a structured workflow for FAMILY_LAW cases, outlining the standard DISPUTE_LITIGATION process. Utilize these tracking templates to manage your legal cases efficiently.
Prepare the relevant forms and supporting materials required under the applicable legislation, ensuring all mandatory fields are completed and all attachments are properly certified.
Draft and dispatch formal correspondence addressing the procedural requirements at this stage, including any required notices, requests for information, or proposals for resolution.
Coordinate the collection and review of all financial documentation required for disclosure, including statements, valuations, and supporting schedules as mandated by the rules.
Conduct a thorough review of all filed materials to ensure compliance with court requirements, verify service obligations have been met, and prepare for the next procedural milestone.
Got a question about this plan?
Ask in the practitioner Discord - edge cases, rule changes, and jurisdiction-specific nuances, all in one place.