Role of Legal Practitioners in Relation to Family Violence

…family violence must be disclosed, understood, and acted upon. This theme seems helpful whether we are thinking of a lawyer interviewing a client, a dispute resolution practitioner dealing with a new case, the work of a counter clerk at a family court, or of a judicial officer. The family law system, and each component in it, needs to encourage and facilitate the disclosure of family violence, ensure that it is understood, and act effectively upon that understanding. Richard Chisholm 2010

The role of lawyers is to: recognise that family violence is a serious problem be sensitive to different needs and experiences of clients from different backgrounds and cultures provide the client with an opportunity to talk about violence issues if they wish Best practice guidelines for lawyers doing family law work Commonwealth of Australia 2004

The role of lawyers is to: not be judgemental have information about other sources of help and support available within the local area, preferably in the form of pamphlets that the client can take, and keep such information up to date consider whether the client should obtain a protection order... to discourage any violence. Best practice guidelines for lawyers doing family law work Commonwealth of Australia 2004