Top10Family Lawyers

Cities

Best Family Lawyers in Sydney

Ten Sydney family law firms, compared for divorce, property settlements and parenting matters.

For each firm you'll see who would handle your matter, the kind of work it suits, how it charges where that's published, and which of its lawyers are accredited family law specialists on the Law Society of NSW register.

34 Sydney firms checked, 10 shortlisted. 45 accredited family law specialists confirmed on the Law Society of NSW register. No firm pays to be listed. Updated October 2026.

Find a firm for your situation
Property with a business, trust or company
Barkus Doolan Winning, York Law, Coleman Greig Lawyers
A lawyer who speaks another language
Unified Lawyers, Christina Lam & Associates

Grouped by what each firm publishes about its work. Most firms handle all common family law matters.

1. Barkus Doolan Winning

Sydney CBDFamily law only

3.1

17 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Complex property settlements involving companies, trusts or third parties, and international disputes

  • Three partners are accredited family law arbitrators, according to the firm.
  • Offers five ways to resolve a matter: negotiation, mediation, collaborative practice, arbitration and litigation.
  • Handles parenting matters involving relocation, family violence and international child abduction.

Accredited family law specialists (8) Paul Doolan, Melinda Winning, Carly Middleton, Jeffrey Marhinin, Jayson McCauley, Shannon Rogers, Emma Shuttleworth, Jessica Tasso

(02) 9265 0111 Visit website
Fees
Not published on the firm's website. Ask for a written estimate.
Office
Level 24, 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney 2000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Barkus Doolan Winning is a family law firm in the Sydney CBD. The site lists 26 lawyers. Its work covers property and financial settlements, parenting, spouse maintenance and child support, appeals and international family law. The firm states that complex settlements involving corporate and trust issues, third parties and international disputes are a large part of its practice.

Video mediation can be arranged where meeting in person is unsafe or impractical. New clients can start online or by phone.

Established 1993.

Also worth knowing

  • Practises only in family law. The firm was established in 1993.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of NSW register on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Paul Doolan, Partner, Accredited SpecialistAccredited family law specialist
  • Melinda Winning, Partner, Accredited Specialist, Accredited Independent ArbitratorAccredited family law specialist
  • Carly Middleton, Partner, Family Law Accredited SpecialistAccredited family law specialist
  • Jeffrey MarhininAccredited family law specialist
  • Jayson McCauleyAccredited family law specialist
  • Shannon RogersAccredited family law specialist
  • Emma ShuttleworthAccredited family law specialist
  • Jessica TassoAccredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Child support
  • De facto relationships
  • Mediation
  • Collaborative law
  • Arbitration
  • Family violence
  • International family law
  • Appeals

Office

Level 24, 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney 2000

Sources

Back to the shortlist

2. Pearson Emerson Family Law

Sydney CBDFamily law only

3.3

13 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Property and financial settlements, financial agreements and international cases, including Hague Convention matters

  • Partners Susan Pearson and Sheridan Emerson are Fellows of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, according to the firm.
  • Handles Hague Convention child abduction cases and advises on surrogacy under the Surrogacy Act 2010 (NSW).
  • Susan Pearson has more than 35 years in family law and was among the first lawyers accredited as a family law specialist by the Law Society of NSW.

Accredited family law specialists (8) Susan Pearson, Sheridan Emerson, Elizabeth Bedford, Rebecca Gilbert, Natasha Heathcote, Gabriella Khoury, Mona Neuhaus, Stephanie Wilkinson

(02) 8202 9202 Visit website
Fees
Not published on the firm's website. Ask for a written estimate.
Office
Level 15, 175 Liverpool Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Pearson Emerson Family Law is based on Liverpool Street in the Sydney CBD, with offices in Melbourne and Brisbane. The people page lists 21 people. New clients are asked to call the firm's case manager.

Sheridan Emerson worked in commercial litigation and finance before moving to family law and is an accredited family dispute resolution practitioner. Elizabeth Bedford handles relocation, Hague Convention and family violence cases and appears as an Independent Children's Lawyer.

Also worth knowing

  • Arbitration and collaborative law are both offered.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of NSW register on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Susan Pearson, Partner, Accredited Specialist in Family LawAccredited family law specialist
  • Sheridan Emerson, Partner, Accredited Specialist in Family LawAccredited family law specialist
  • Elizabeth Bedford, Partner, Accredited Specialist in Family LawAccredited family law specialist
  • Rebecca GilbertAccredited family law specialist
  • Natasha HeathcoteAccredited family law specialist
  • Gabriella KhouryAccredited family law specialist
  • Mona NeuhausAccredited family law specialist
  • Stephanie WilkinsonAccredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • De facto relationships
  • Collaborative law
  • Arbitration
  • International family law
  • Surrogacy

Office

Level 15, 175 Liverpool Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Other details

Other offices
Melbourne and Brisbane

Sources

Back to the shortlist

3. Broun Abrahams Burreket

Sydney CBDFamily law only

1.9

9 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Separating couples who want to settle out of court through collaborative practice

  • Nine of the firm's 19 lawyers are trained in collaborative practice, and all 19 practise only in family law, according to the firm.
  • In most collaborative matters, clients can agree a fixed price for each round table conference.
  • The firm lists family law work across 19 countries.

Accredited family law specialists (7) Jamie Burreket, Susana Staka, Georgia Burke, Katie Burreket, Rose Buttigieg, Christine Clarke, Alicia Elliott

(02) 8268 8700 Visit website
Fees
Fixed price per collaborative round table conference available in most collaborative matters. Other fees not published.
Office
Level 23, 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney 2000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Broun Abrahams Burreket is a family law firm on Goulburn Street in the Sydney CBD. The site lists practice areas covering financial settlement, parenting, relocation, child support, international matters, pre-nuptial agreements, third parties and de facto relationships. Its resolution methods are negotiation, collaborative practice, mediation and litigation.

Wendy Broun has practised family law for more than 30 years and founded the firm in 1999. Susana Staka sits on the Legal Aid NSW Independent Children's Lawyer panel and handles international relocation and enforcement matters.

Established 1999.

Also worth knowing

  • Jamie Burreket advises on challenges to binding financial agreements and on how tax planning affects a property settlement.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of NSW register on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Jamie Burreket, Managing Director, Accredited Specialist (Family Law)Accredited family law specialist
  • Susana Staka, Practice Director, Accredited Specialist (Family Law)Accredited family law specialist
  • Wendy Broun, Practice Director, Collaborative Lawyer
  • Georgia BurkeAccredited family law specialist
  • Katie BurreketAccredited family law specialist
  • Rose ButtigiegAccredited family law specialist
  • Christine ClarkeAccredited family law specialist
  • Alicia ElliottAccredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • De facto relationships
  • Mediation
  • Collaborative law
  • International family law

Office

Level 23, 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney 2000

Sources

Back to the shortlist

4. ATW Family Law

Sydney CBDFamily law only

Fewer than 5 reviews on Google Maps

Best for Parents and couples wanting mediation, including with a registered family dispute resolution practitioner who can issue s60I certificates

  • Gabrielle Gathercole is a registered family dispute resolution practitioner and can issue a s60I certificate when a parenting matter does not settle.
  • Half-day and full-day mediations can be booked through an online calendar, and can be face to face, shuttle, or by phone or video.
  • All practitioners are trained in interdisciplinary collaborative practice, according to the firm.

Accredited family law specialists (5) Jane Saltoon, Gabrielle Gathercole, Alex Namisnyk, Aileen Slattery, Francesca Wu

(02) 9261 3122 Visit website
Fees
Not published on the firm's website. Ask for a written estimate.
Office
Suite 2 Level 2, 162 Goulburn Street, Sydney NSW 2010
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

ATW Family Law works from Goulburn Street in the Sydney CBD. The firm page names nine solicitors.

Mediation is a large part of the practice. Gabrielle Gathercole holds an intake session with each party before the joint session. The firm also drafts consent orders, binding financial agreements and binding child support agreements.

Established 2008.

Also worth knowing

  • Also handles wills and estates, and has a licensed conveyancer for property transfers after a settlement.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of NSW register on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Jane Saltoon, Solicitor, Chief Counsel, Accredited Family Law SpecialistAccredited family law specialist
  • Gabrielle Gathercole, Solicitor, Director, Accredited Family Law Specialist, Collaborative Lawyer, MediatorAccredited family law specialist
  • Alex Namisnyk, Solicitor, Director, Accredited Family Law Specialist, Collaborative Lawyer, MediatorAccredited family law specialist
  • Aileen SlatteryAccredited family law specialist
  • Francesca WuAccredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • De facto relationships
  • Mediation
  • Collaborative law
  • Arbitration
  • Family violence

Office

Suite 2 Level 2, 162 Goulburn Street, Sydney NSW 2010

Sources

Back to the shortlist

5. Pigdon Norgate Family Lawyers

Sydney CBDFamily law only

3.9

15 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Clients who want a principal involved from the first meeting, and parties looking for a family lawyer to act as mediator

  • The first meeting is with a principal and the solicitor who will run the matter, and usually lasts about an hour.
  • A full-day mediation with Suzanne Pigdon or Rosemary Norgate is published at $4,400 including GST, shared between the parties.
  • Services include Hague Convention child abduction, adoption and surrogacy, and family provision claims.

Accredited family law specialists (4) Suzanne Pigdon, Rosemary Norgate, Jack Hensley, Hannah Gore

(02) 8907 7700 Visit website
Fees
Phone introduction with a principal, then an initial consultation of about an hour with a principal and the solicitor who will run the matter. Fee not published.
Office
Grace House, Level 9, 279 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Pigdon Norgate is a family law firm with its Sydney office in Grace House on Clarence Street. Suzanne Pigdon and Rosemary Norgate founded it in 2010. The site lists nine lawyers. The firm sets out its process: conflict check, partner introduction, initial consultation, strategy, execution and support, then resolution. Most cases resolve by negotiation using one of several forms of dispute resolution, according to the firm, and some go to a court hearing.

Both founders also work as mediators in property and parenting disputes, in person in Sydney or by video, and Suzanne Pigdon mediates in Albury. A pre-mediation conference is held separately with each party.

Established 2010.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of NSW register on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Suzanne Pigdon, Solicitor, Director, Accredited Family Law Specialist, Accredited MediatorAccredited family law specialist
  • Rosemary Norgate, Solicitor, Director, Accredited Family Law Specialist, MediatorAccredited family law specialist
  • Jack Hensley, Solicitor, Director, Accredited Family Law SpecialistAccredited family law specialist
  • Hannah GoreAccredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • De facto relationships
  • Mediation
  • Collaborative law
  • International family law
  • Surrogacy

Office

Grace House, Level 9, 279 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Sources

Back to the shortlist

6. Rubin Blight Hardy Family Lawyers & Mediators

Sydney CBDFamily law only

5.0

7 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Clients who want an accredited specialist running their matter and prefer mediation or collaborative law where possible

  • Each case is managed by the client's own lawyer, according to the firm.
  • The firm can act as mediator as well as represent clients at mediation.
  • JustFund litigation funding is offered to eligible clients.

Accredited family law specialists (3) Melanie Rubin, Josie Blight, Karen Hardy

(02) 8215 1638 Visit website
Fees
No free consultations. A conflict check comes first, then a meeting is arranged. Fees not published.
Office
Level 3, 50 Park Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Rubin Blight Hardy is a family law firm on Park Street, Sydney. The team page lists seven lawyers led by three directors. Each director describes 20 to 25 years in family law. Melanie Rubin and Karen Hardy are collaboratively trained, and Josie Blight practises interdisciplinary collaborative law.

Melanie Rubin is also a mediator. Josie Blight works on high net worth financial cases and financial agreements and holds a Masters in Applied Law (Family Law). Karen Hardy encourages mediation, collaboration and settlement conferences. The firm accepts bank transfer, cash or card.

Also worth knowing

  • Services include grandparents' and third party matters and international cases.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of NSW register on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Melanie Rubin, Director, Principal Lawyer, Accredited Specialist (Family Law)Accredited family law specialist
  • Josie Blight, Director, Principal Lawyer, Accredited Specialist (Family Law)Accredited family law specialist
  • Karen Hardy, Director, Principal Lawyer, Accredited Specialist (Family Law)Accredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • De facto relationships
  • Mediation
  • Collaborative law
  • Family violence
  • International family law
  • Grandparents' rights

Office

Level 3, 50 Park Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Sources

Back to the shortlist

7. York Law

Sydney CBDFamily law only

3.8

25 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Property disputes involving trusts and companies, and third parties joined to family law proceedings

  • Nabil Wahhab has acted where third parties are joined to complex property disputes involving trusts, companies and partnerships.
  • Eloise Horrobin has run cross-border parenting matters involving Switzerland, Hong Kong, China and the USA.
  • Gives a cost breakdown at the outset, according to the firm.

Accredited family law specialists (3) Nabil Wahhab, Irene Morozov, Eloise Horrobin

(02) 8916 9900 Visit website
Fees
Not published on the firm's website. Ask for a written estimate.
Office
Level 9, 49-51 York Street, NSW 2000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

York Law is a family law firm on York Street in the Sydney CBD, near Wynyard Station. Nabil Wahhab founded it in 2006. The firm works with accountants, financial planners and counsel on complex matters.

Nabil Wahhab has practised family law for more than 30 years. Irene Morozov was admitted in 1993, has been an accredited family law specialist since November 1999 and works on complex financial matters. Eloise Horrobin is a collaborative lawyer.

Established 2006.

Also worth knowing

  • Second opinions are offered as a listed service.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of NSW register on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Nabil Wahhab, Managing Director, Accredited Specialist in Family LawAccredited family law specialist
  • Irene Morozov, Practice Director, Accredited Specialist in Family LawAccredited family law specialist
  • Eloise Horrobin, Practice Director, Family Law Accredited SpecialistAccredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • De facto relationships
  • Mediation
  • Collaborative law
  • Family violence
  • International family law

Office

Level 9, 49-51 York Street, NSW 2000

Sources

Back to the shortlist

8. Unified Lawyers

Sydney CBDFamily law only

4.9

561 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Clients who want a free first meeting, or a lawyer who speaks a language other than English

  • The first consultation is free, according to the firm.
  • The site lists nine languages spoken, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Hindi and Greek.
  • Offices across Sydney include the CBD, Parramatta, North Sydney, Bondi Junction, Miranda and Marrickville.

Accredited family law specialists (2) Mark Youssef, Alex Bourne

1300 667 461 Visit website
Fees
Free first consultation offered. Hourly rates not published.
Office
Level 5, 299 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Unified Lawyers is a family law firm with its Sydney CBD office on Elizabeth Street and five other Sydney offices. The lawyers page lists 19 lawyers based in Sydney. Services cover separation and divorce, property, spousal maintenance, financial agreements, parenting, mediation, domestic violence and adoption, as well as high net worth and international asset matters.

Mark Youssef has been an accredited family law specialist since 2011, is an accredited mediator and teaches in the College of Law family law masters program.

Also worth knowing

  • Offers JustFund litigation funding and publishes divorce and family lawyer cost guides.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of NSW register on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Mark Youssef, Partner, Accredited Specialist in Family LawAccredited family law specialist
  • Alex Bourne, Partner, Accredited Specialist in Family LawAccredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Financial agreements
  • Mediation
  • Family violence
  • International family law

Office

Level 5, 299 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Other details

Other offices
Parramatta, North Sydney, Bondi Junction, Miranda, Marrickville, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast
Languages
Chinese, Nepali, Vietnamese, Lebanese, Hindi, Sinhala, Greek, Portuguese, Italian (as listed on the site)

Sources

Back to the shortlist

9. Christina Lam & Associates

ParramattaFamily law only

Fewer than 5 reviews on Google Maps

Best for Western Sydney clients with Legal Aid grants, and parents seeking mediation with a family dispute resolution practitioner

  • The firm is on three Legal Aid NSW panels, including the Family Law Panel.
  • Christina Lam is a registered family dispute resolution practitioner and an accredited mediator.
  • Christina Lam worked at Legal Aid NSW before starting the firm and sits on its Independent Children's Lawyer panel.

Accredited family law specialists (1) Christina Lam

(02) 9059 8237 Visit website
Fees
Fees page: initial consultation $295 including GST, then hourly rates set out in a costs agreement. The contact form mentions a free consultation, so confirm when booking.
Office
Suite 6/100 George Street, Parramatta NSW 2150
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Christina Lam & Associates is a family law firm on George Street, Parramatta. Christina Lam was admitted in 2009 and has practised only in family law. The team page names two associates.

Fees are charged by the hour under a written costs agreement, with monthly itemised accounts and written estimates before each court appearance. The firm runs mediations in parenting and property matters.

Also worth knowing

  • An associate speaks Serbian and Croatian.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of NSW register on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Christina Lam, Principal, Accredited Family Law SpecialistAccredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • Mediation
  • Family violence

Office

Suite 6/100 George Street, Parramatta NSW 2150

Other details

Languages
Serbian, Croatian

Sources

Back to the shortlist

10. Coleman Greig Lawyers

ParramattaFamily law team in a broader firm

4.0

84 reviews on Google Maps

Checked 10 Oct 2026

Best for Property settlements involving family businesses, trusts and tax, with input from in-house tax and commercial lawyers

  • The family team consults the firm's tax and commercial teams on property matters.
  • Team leaders Karina Ralston and Adam West are accredited family law arbitrators, according to the firm.
  • Karina Ralston focuses on binding financial agreements and property matters involving family businesses, trusts and tax.

Accredited family law specialists (4) Karina Ralston, Adam West, Nicole Stevens, Madison Kelly-Crisp

(02) 9895 9200 Visit website
Fees
Fixed-fee options for binding financial agreements. First consultation fee not published.
Office
Level 15, 32 Smith Street, Parramatta NSW 2150
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources

About the firm

Coleman Greig is a full-service firm with a family law team at its Smith Street office in Parramatta. The Parramatta family law page names eight lawyers. Other services include wills, conveyancing, tax and commercial work.

Adam West has more than 19 years in family law and is an accredited mediator and arbitrator. Nicole Stevens is an accredited family law mediator and works on parenting matters involving family violence and ADVOs.

Also worth knowing

  • Services include surrogacy, adoption and collaborative family law.

Lawyers

Specialist status checked on the Law Society of NSW register on 11 Oct 2026.

  • Karina Ralston, Principal / Director, Team Leader, Family LawAccredited family law specialist
  • Adam West, Principal / Director, Team Leader, Family LawAccredited family law specialist
  • Nicole Stevens, Senior AssociateAccredited family law specialist
  • Madison Kelly-CrispAccredited family law specialist

Areas of family law handled

  • Divorce
  • Property settlement
  • Parenting arrangements
  • Child support
  • Financial agreements
  • De facto relationships
  • Mediation
  • Collaborative law
  • Arbitration
  • Family violence
  • Surrogacy

Office

Level 15, 32 Smith Street, Parramatta NSW 2150

Other details

Other offices
Sydney CBD, Penrith, Norwest Baulkham Hills

Sources

Back to the shortlist

Details come from each firm's website and the Law Society of NSW register, checked October 2026. Google ratings are shown as published on Google and don't affect the order. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

How we selected these Sydney firms

We recorded 34 family law firms with offices in Sydney CBD, Parramatta and greater Sydney, then read each firm's own website: team, services, contact and fees pages. 10 made the shortlist. We favoured firms where family law is the main practice, with named family lawyers in the Sydney office, accredited specialists we could confirm on the Law Society of NSW register, and clear published information about how they work.

Firms were left out for reasons such as:

  • Firms whose sites could not be reached or verified
  • Firms with no lawyers named on the site
  • Firms where family law is one of several unrelated services
  • Firms with no accredited family law specialist found
  • Second offices of firms already listed
  • Legal Aid and community legal centres (listed under local help instead)

How the order was set

The numbers are an editorial order, not a score. We weighed the same criteria together: firms come earlier where family law is the firm's whole practice, where more of the Sydney team are accredited specialists we could confirm on the Law Society of NSW register, and where the firm publishes clear information about who you would deal with and how it charges. We also kept variety on the list, so firms with a particular focus or location, such as collaborative law, surrogacy, international matters or Parramatta, are included even with smaller teams.

Firms close to each other in the order aren't meaningfully different, and a lower number doesn't mean a firm is a worse choice for your matter. The right firm depends on the kind of matter you have. Google ratings don't affect the order, and no firm has paid to be listed or placed. Read the full method.

Family law in Sydney: courts and free help

Family law cases in Sydney are filed with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. It has a registry in the Lionel Bowen Building on Goulburn Street in the CBD and another in the Garfield Barwick Commonwealth Law Courts Building on George Street, Parramatta. Duty lawyers are available at the Parramatta registry on weekdays.

Free and low-cost help is available. Legal Aid NSW has a central office in Haymarket and a civil and family law office on Marsden Street, Parramatta. Its Family Dispute Resolution Service runs mediation where at least one party has legal aid. Family Relationship Centres operate on Barrack Street in the CBD and on Macquarie Street in Parramatta.

Eight of the firms on this list are in the CBD, three of them on Goulburn Street near the registry. Two are in Parramatta, close to the George Street registry. The Law Society of NSW accredits family law specialists, and each specialist named below was checked against its Register of Solicitors.

Where matters are heard

AVOs and family law orders in NSW

Apprehended violence orders are made under NSW law, while parenting orders can be made by the Local Court of NSW and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Where a parenting order and an AVO say different things, the parenting order overrides the AVO. A parenting plan does not override an AVO. When applying for parenting orders you must tell the court about any AVOs. Source

Legal Aid, mediation and community legal centres

Checking a lawyer before you engage them

Every solicitor practising in New South Wales needs a current practising certificate. You can search the Law Society of NSW Register of Solicitors, which also shows who holds family law specialist accreditation.

Family lawyers in Sydney: common questions

Where are family law cases heard in Sydney?

Family law matters are handled by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Its Sydney registry is in the Lionel Bowen Building, 97-99 Goulburn Street. There is also a registry in the Garfield Barwick Commonwealth Law Courts Building, 1-3 George Street, Parramatta. Urgent after-hours applications go to the court's urgent after-hours line on 1300 352 000.

Is there free family law help in Sydney?

Legal Aid NSW has offices in Haymarket and Parramatta, and its Early Intervention Unit provides duty lawyers at Federal Circuit and Family Court registries (1800 551 589). LawAccess NSW takes legal aid applications on 1300 888 529. Women's Legal Service NSW and Marrickville Legal Centre also give family law help to eligible people.

Can I get mediation before going to court in Sydney?

Family Relationship Centres in the CBD (Barrack Street) and Parramatta (Macquarie Street) list family law services, and the CBD centre lists family dispute resolution. If you or the other party has legal aid, the Legal Aid NSW Family Dispute Resolution Service can run mediation, and Legal Aid does not charge anyone who attends.

How do I check if a Sydney lawyer is an accredited family law specialist?

The Law Society of NSW runs a specialist accreditation scheme that includes family law. Its Register of Solicitors lists solicitors with a current practising certificate and shows accredited specialists. You can search it by name, suburb and specialist area.

How does an AVO affect parenting orders in NSW?

According to Legal Aid NSW, if a parenting order and an AVO say different things, the parenting order overrides the AVO. A parenting plan does not override an AVO. You must tell the court about any AVOs when you apply for parenting orders.

General information only, not legal advice.

Family lawyers in other cities: MelbourneBrisbanePerthAdelaideGold CoastCanberraNewcastleSunshine CoastCentral CoastHobartDarwin

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