What is the Expected Length of Opening and Closing Addresses Regarding Final Orders on Settlement in the Family Court of Western Australia?

Question from tina, What is the Expected Length of Opening and Closing Addresses Regarding Final Orders on Settlement in the Family Court of Western Australia?

Answer from AI:

The length of opening and closing addresses in the Family Court of Western Australia can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the case, the number of issues to be resolved, and the style of the legal representatives involved. However, there are some general guidelines and expectations that can be considered.

Opening Addresses

The opening address is the opportunity for each party’s legal representative to outline their case to the judge. This includes presenting the facts of the case, the issues in dispute, and the orders they are seeking.

While there is no set time limit for opening addresses, they are generally expected to be concise and to the point. According to the Practice Direction 1 of 2010 issued by the Family Court of Western Australia, the court encourages efficiency and brevity in all aspects of proceedings. Therefore, an opening address might typically last between 15 minutes to an hour, but this can vary.

Closing Addresses

The closing address is the chance for each party’s legal representative to summarise their case, highlight the evidence that supports their position, and argue why the judge should make the orders they are seeking.

Again, there is no set time limit for closing addresses, but they are generally longer than opening addresses as they involve a more detailed analysis of the evidence. A closing address might typically last between 30 minutes to 2 hours, but this can vary.

Considerations

• Complexity of the Case: More complex cases, with multiple issues in dispute, may require longer opening and closing addresses.
• Volume of Evidence: If there is a large amount of evidence to be considered, this may lengthen the closing address.
• Legal Representative’s Style: Some legal representatives may be more verbose than others, which can affect the length of their addresses.

Legal Advice

It’s important to note that these are general guidelines and the actual length of opening and closing addresses can vary. If you are involved in a Family Court matter, it may be beneficial to seek legal advice. A legal professional can provide guidance on what to expect and how to prepare for court proceedings. They can also help you to present your case in the most effective and efficient manner.