Family Law Pathways Forum: How to Manage Disputes for the Child

Learning Mode

Face to Face and Online

Location

SA

Duration

Full Day

Course Overview

This topic for this year’s forum is: How to Manage Disputes for the Child.  It will explore the care and protection processes, child experts, neurodiversity and latest cases in relation to family and domestic violence in property matters.

Attendees may arrive from 8:30am on Thursday 14 May 2026.

Topics and Speakers:

  • Co-Chairpersons, Ashley Kent, Chairperson Pathways’ Steering Committee and Anna O’Brien, Director Family Law Division, Legal Services Commission
  • Welcome to Country by Rosalind Coleman, a proud Kaurna and Narungga woman, a Traditional Owner and a respected Elder within her community
  • Family Group Conferencing: A Judicial Perspective with Her Honour Judge Sutcliffe of the Youth Court
  • Panel: Which Court Should Protect the Child? with Judge Brown of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Jennifer Olsson, Barrister & Solicitor, Silkwoods Chambers and Rebecca Holden, Acting Practice Lead Court Team, Department for Child Protection
  • Unify: a family reunification program with Sam Carpenter, Manager, Unify Reunification Services, Centacare Catholic Community Services
  • Family Group Conferencing: Pilot with Megan Waters, Team Leader, Ngartuitya Family Group Conferencing Relationships Australia SA and Jodie Halliday, Family Group Conference Liaison Officer for the Department for Child Protection
  • Self-determination for children with Denise Rieniets, Principal, Denise M Rieniets & Associates
  • Child Experts – how can they best assist in dispute resolution? Angela Andary, Child Expert, Legal Services Commission
  • Mediation and Neurodiversity with Dr Samantha Hardy, Director, The Conflict Management Academy
  • Property and family and domestic violence with speaker to be determined.

Funds raised by the Forum are used for Pathways work including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

During the Forum photos may be taken for use by Pathways in provision of its services.

 

Register Here

Date: 14 May 2026
Time: 9:00am to 4:30pm
Location: Pavillion on the Park, South Terrace, Adelaide
Cost: $180 in person
$180 online

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the cultural, spiritual and economic sovereignty of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We understand that the ongoing violation of this sovereignty continues to harm Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s relationships, health, wellbeing and aspirations.

We are committed to strengthening the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.

We recognise that respecting and nurturing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is a benefit for all Australians.

We especially honour the Kaurna Elders of the Adelaide Plains and the Elders of the River Murray and Mallee Region, which includes: Ngaiawang, Ngawait, Nganguruku, Erawirung, Ngintait, Ngaraite, Ngarkat and small parts of Maraura and Daanggali, and Elders of Barngarla Country in the Far North and Boandik Land in Mount Gambier, upon whose country Relationships Australia South Australia offices are located.

As educators we recognise the Ancient Universities and ways of knowing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have existed for millennia, and we respect and honour First Nations expertise.