Family Court

Lesley provides a pragmatic and honest approach to the individual's journey through Family Law issues. She demonstrates a willingness and ca...

Lesley provides a pragmatic and honest approach to the individual's journey through Family Law issues. She demonstrates a willingness and capacity to respond to challenging and unpredictable circumstances. Her professional, yet personal, service is naturally client centred, but with a realistic and informed view of children's needs. And it has been heartening to have her walk beside me in the long journey...

We were successful in having the Federal Magistrates Court retain jurisdiction in a property dispute between two persons of the same gender ...

We were successful in having the Federal Magistrates Court retain jurisdiction in a property dispute between two persons of the same gender who had lived together for several decades. One party was denying there had been a de facto relationship. This could have removed the Court's jurisdiction to deal with the matter.  With some guidance from the Federal Magistrate and each side having advice from their own counsel, the parties were eventually able to agree on Interim Consent Orders confirming the Court having jurisdiction.  The Federal Magistrate highlighted that the Court could consider numerous factors in order to decide that a de facto relationship had existed. The court did not have to base its decision on whether or not there ever was a sexual relationship. The Federal Magistrate was pleased he did not have to observe anyone being cross-examined on such issues or on any of the other considerations relevant to determining whether the parties had been in a de facto relationship.