The new national family law property arbitration list

On 16 April this year, the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia announced the creation of a new specialist National Arbitration List. Chief Justice Alstergren said: 'The Courts have long supported the use of alternative dispute resolution as a quicker and more affordable option for litigants to resolve their disputes, rather than continuing to trial' and went on to declare that 'the introduction of the Arbitration List will ensure consistency and timeliness and the determination of such applications will be given considered priority'. His Honour also noted that, while 'arbitration has traditionally and commonly been used in commercial litigation, [the Family and Federal Circuit courts] are very keen to support the wider use of arbitration in family law for property matters.'