Coercive control is complex and often hidden—yet its effects on parents and children are profound. Understanding the nature, risks and legal significance of coercive control is essential to achieving safe and just outcomes in family law matters.

The duty of disclosure requires parties in family law cases to provide full, frank, and timely disclosure of all relevant information in parenting and property matters. While this obligation was previously set out in the Rules, the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 has now incorporated it directly into the Family Law Act 1975.

Independent Children’s Lawyers: Protecting Children’s Best Interests and Ensuring Their Voice Is Heard in Family Law Cases

Can grandparents apply for parenting orders? Explore your options under Australian family law and how to get support.

Children have a right to be heard, and their views given appropriate weight by the Family Law Courts when deciding parenting matters. The question then arises - how does the Court deal with children subject to alienation where their views are likely coerced and disconnected from their lived experience?