Family Court Mastery 2023 - Early-Bird, Launch Edition

This online learning and support platform caters primarily to litigants in person, individuals undergoing proceedings in the Family Court without representation from a lawyer.

However, it also provides value to a broader range of stakeholders, including:

• Prospective litigants seek to understand better the court process, including the necessity of legal representation and eligibility for legal aid.

• Self-represented individuals who seek limited legal advice.

• Individuals who retain a family lawyer wish to have a comprehensive overview of the legal system and their case within it.

• Supporters of litigants, such as partners, family members, and friends.

• McKenzie friends are individuals approved by the court to accompany litigants in person in a supportive role.

The platform has also proven helpful for various other groups, including:

• Trainee lawyers and law students with interest in family law.

• Judges as a resource for guiding litigants in person.

• Lawyers involved in cases with litigants in person who seek to ensure an efficient and informed process.

• Other professionals, such as teachers and expert witnesses, have occasional involvement with the Family Court system and desire greater understanding.

Is this an alternative to a Family Lawyer?

• No, not really. Some will say there is no substitute for proper legal advice or representation – whether you are trying to work out your options and resolve disputes without going to court or find yourself a party to a court case.

• But the reality is that many people cannot afford lawyers and need some guidance to point them in the right direction. So that’s what this online learning and in-person support are – a guide about how things work, support around your psychology, and advice about your case.

• In short, these courses and in-person support intend to support you to be strong enough emotionally and have the knowledge and confidence to survive the process. We will give you the tools and expertise you need to become and Family Court Master at a cost that is much better value than any other McKenzie Friend and better value than a solicitor. If you follow the steps and guidance offered and put into practice the behaviours and beliefs, it should make you into a well-informed litigant in person – not a lawyer. It should give you the tools to try and make an excellent chance first to get a realistic, successful outcome result. I hope it contains the answers to the most asked questions and will help you avoid common pitfalls and misunderstandings.

• If your case involves unusual features or is complex, it may be that you do need a lawyer. The book sets out some of the circumstances where this is necessary and gives you some guidance about when legal aid may be available.

• An alternative to hiring a Family Lawyer is not readily available. Despite popular belief that legal advice and representation are essential in resolving disputes or navigating court proceedings, the reality is that many individuals may not have access to such resources. This online learning and in-person support serve as a guide to inform individuals of the legal process, provide emotional support, and offer advice specific to their case. These courses and in-person support aim to empower individuals with the necessary knowledge, emotional fortitude, and confidence to navigate the Family Court system effectively. While it offers value as a cost-effective alternative to a McKenzie Friend or solicitor, it is not a substitute for legal representation in cases involving complex or unique features. The material covered may provide answers to frequently asked questions and help avoid common mistakes and misconceptions. Legal aid may be necessary in such cases, and the resources provided outline the circumstances where this may apply.

Why do we need an online course about courts - isn't it better to try and avoid it?

• Of course, it's better to avoid court if you can. Still, sometimes it's not possible—perhaps because the other person involved in the dispute will not be reasonable, probably because it is unsafe to try and resolve things directly, or perhaps because there is a genuinely complex legal issue that only a judge can decide.

• There is guidance in the course about alternatives to court, like mediation, and some things that must be considered before rushing to ask the court for help.

These online courses should enable those considering court to see that it is not an easy or quick option, to understand better what it can and cannot achieve—and ultimately to help assess whether the court is the best or only option. But primarily, these courses are for those who have gone or are going through that process and haven't been able to avoid court and deal with it. It stands to reason that around half of the people involved in the court process have not chosen to be where—they are responding to an application made by someone else. If you don't have a lawyer, it can be challenging to determine what is happening on earth or predict what might happen next.

If completing this course and living and breathing what we teach does not get you a realistic and successful outcome in Family Court, you will get a full refund.