Annual conference

This past week I, along with two colleagues, attended the annual Hunter Valley Family Law Practitioners Association conference.

This conference is the highlight of the conference calendar in my opinion. Firstly, while there may be conferences in more glamorous climes the Hunter Valley Vineyards region is not too bad a location for a conference - there's is something wonderful about waking up to the sight of hot air balloons rising over the vines and the event wraps up on Saturday afternoon, leaving plenty of time for wine tasting and picnics. But most importantly, the conference is without comparison in terms of an opportunity to discuss that thing we all do - family law - with our Judges, experts and fellow practitioners in a relaxed environment.

This year, as always, the speakers and topics were excellent.

We had a session presented by a visiting Justice entitled "Children in the Family Law Courts - Are They Seen and Not Heard?"; one by our local expert on the taxation consequences for parties to proceedings and consideration of whether there is a more effective option available; one by one of our local Justice's on 'Relocation' Cases; another by one of the experts regularly used by the Court on parenting matters entitled "Parental Mental Health Issues - Impact on Development and Attachment, Parenting Arrangements and Developmental Stage"; a session on the often complex ethics involved in family law matters; one by one of our local experts on self-managed superannuation funds; one by a local Magistrate entitled "AVOs -  Practical Aspects of the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007"; and a review of the latest and greatest by our local Judges and one of the visiting Judges.