FAMILY VIOLENCE ACT 2016

Australian Capital Territory Current Acts

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FAMILY VIOLENCE ACT 2016 - NOTES

Dictionary

(see s 3)

Note The Legislation Act

contains definitions relevant to this Act. For example:

• adult

• breach

• chief police officer

• child

• civil union

• civil union partner

• contravene

• director of public prosecutions

• domestic partner (see s 169)

• found guilty

• lawyer

• magistrate

• Magistrates Court

• may (see s 146)

• must (see s 146)

• parent

• police officer

• proceeding

• public advocate

• registrar

• registrar of firearms

• Supreme Court.

"affected person "means a person against whom family violence has been, or is likely to be, committed.

Note An affected person includes any child who hears, witnesses or is otherwise exposed to family violence committed against another person (see s 8 (1), def "family violence", par (b)).

"after-hours order" means an order made under section 102, and includes an order amending or revoking an after-hours order.

"amend", a family violence order, includes amend the order by—

(a) adding further conditions, prohibitions or restrictions to the order or amending or deleting conditions, prohibitions or restrictions; or

(b) extending or reducing the period for which the order remains in force.

"ammunition"—see the Firearms Act 1996

, dictionary.

"appealable decision" means a decision mentioned in section 92.

"application", for a protection order, means an application for a final order.

Note 1 The court may make an interim order on an application for a final order (see s 20). No separate application for an interim order is required.

Note 2 As a protection order includes an order amending a protection order (see def "protection order"), an application for a protection order includes an application to amend a protection order.

"authorised person", for schedule 1 (Permitted publication about proceedings)—see the Children and Young People Act 2008

, section 26.

"business hours", of the Magistrates Court, for part 7 (After-hours orders)—see section 98.

"care and protection chapters", for schedule 1 (Permitted publication about proceedings)—see the Children and Young People Act 2008

, section 336.

"child", of a person, includes—

(a) a child who normally lives with the person; and

(b) a child for whom the person is a guardian.

Note A child is someone under 18 years old (see Legislation Act

, dict, pt 1).

"commencement day", for division 9.6 (Application of pt 9—existing protection orders)—see section 140.

"consent order" means a protection order made under section 33.

"copy", in relation to a document to be served in a proceeding, means—

(a) if the document has been entered into the record of the Magistrates Court—a true copy sealed or stamped with the seal of the court; or

(b) in any other case—a true copy.

"corresponding law", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"court", for division 9.3 (Amendment and revocation of recognised non-local FVOs)—see section 131.

"disability guardian", of a person—see the Guardianship and Management of Property Act 1991

, dictionary, definition of guardian.

"family member", of a person—see section 9.

"family violence"—see section 8.

"family violence concern", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 116.

"family violence offence"—an offence is a family violence offence if the conduct making up the offence is family violence.

"family violence order" means—

(a) for this Act generally—

(i) a protection order; or

(ii) an after-hours order; and

(b) for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"family violence proceeding", for part 8 (Court-initiated actions)—see section 111.

"final FVO", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"finalised"—an outstanding related charge is "finalised" if—

(a) the charge is withdrawn; or

(b) the director of public prosecutions declines to proceed further with the prosecution of the offences and causes it to be brought to an end; or

(d) the person is discharged by a court following a committal hearing; or

(e) the person is acquitted, convicted or found guilty by a court of the offence.

Note Found guilty, of an offence—see the Legislation Act

, dictionary, pt 1.

"final order "means a protection order that is not an interim order or after-hours order, and includes an order amending a final order.

"firearm"—see the Firearms Act 1996

, section 6.

"firearms licence"—see the Firearms Act 1996

, dictionary, definition of "licence".

"foreign order", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"FVO", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"general interim order"—

(a) means a protection order (including a consent order) made under section 22 (Interim orders—general interim orders and special interim orders); and

(b) includes an order (other than a final order) that amends or revokes a general interim order.

"general violence order", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"impaired decision-making ability"—see section 74.

"interim FVO", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"interim order" means—

(a) a general interim order; or

(b) a special interim order.

"interstate FVO", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"interstate law enforcement agency", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"issuing authority", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"issuing jurisdiction", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"judicial officer" means any of the following:

(a) a magistrate;

(b) if a territory law provides for the exercise of the Magistrates Court's jurisdiction by the registrar—the registrar;

(c) if a territory law provides for the exercise of the Magistrates Court's jurisdiction by a deputy registrar—a deputy registrar.

Note The Court Procedures Rules 2006

may provide for the jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court otherwise exercisable by a magistrate to be exercised by the registrar or deputy registrar, in the cases and subject to the conditions prescribed under the rules (see Magistrates Court Act 1930

, s 4 (4)).

"jurisdiction", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"litigation guardian", of a person, means a person appointed in accordance with section 78.

"local FVO", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"local law enforcement agency", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"make", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"New Zealand FVO", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"non-local FVO", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"outstanding"—a charge against a person for an offence is outstanding until the charge is finally dealt with in any of the following ways:

(a) the charge is withdrawn;

(b) the charge is dismissed by a court;

(d) the person is acquitted, convicted or found guilty by a court of the offence.

Note Found guilty, of an offence—see the Legislation Act

, dictionary, pt 1.

"participating jurisdiction", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"personal violence"—see the Personal Violence Act 2016

, section 8.

"proceeding", for a family violence order, means—

(a) a proceeding for a protection order; or

Note As a protection order includes an order amending a protection order (see def "protection order"), a proceeding for a protection order includes a proceeding to amend the order.

(b) a proceeding to amend or revoke an after-hours order; or

(d) for part 8 (Court-initiated actions)—the family violence proceeding to the extent that the proceeding relates to the exercise of jurisdiction under this Act.

"properly notified", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 117.

"protection order"—

(a) means—

(i) an interim order; or

(ii) a final order; and

(b) includes—

(i) an order about the seizure of a firearms licence, firearm or ammunition; and

(ii) an order amending a protection order, including an order for a provisional amendment under section 82B or a temporary amendment under section 84.

"protected person" means the person protected under a family violence order.

"recognised amendment", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 120.

"recognised FVO", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 119 and section 144.

"registered foreign order", for part 9 (National recognition of FVOs)—see section 115.

"related"—a charge against a person for an offence is related to an application for a final order and, if an interim order is made on the application, an interim order if—

(a) the person charged is—

(i) the respondent to the application; and

(ii) a family member of the affected person; and

(b) the offence is against the affected person.

"respondent" means—

(a) a person in relation to whom an application for a family violence order has been made; or

(b) a person against whom a family violence order has been made; or

"return date", for an application for a protection order or review of a protection order, means the day fixed by the Magistrates Court for return of the application before the court.

"returned", in relation to an application for a protection order, for division 4.2A (Non-attendance by party)—see section 52.

"revoke" includes cancel.

"special interim order"—

(a) means a protection order (including a consent order) made under section 22 (Interim orders—general interim orders and special interim orders); and

(b) includes an order (other than a final order) that amends or revokes a special interim order.

Note An interim order made by a court under pt 8 (Court-initiated actions) is taken to be a special interim order (see s 113).

"timing notice", for a preliminary conference—see section 45.

Endnotes

1 About the endnotes

Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the amendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law but are set out in the endnotes.

Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001

, part 11.3 are annotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel's Office.

Uncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details of these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are underlined in the legislation history and amendment history.

If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered provisions gives details of previous and current numbering.

The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.

2 Abbreviation key

A = Act

NI = Notifiable instrument

AF = Approved form

o = order

am = amended

om = omitted/repealed

amdt = amendment

ord = ordinance

AR = Assembly resolution

orig = original

ch = chapter

par = paragraph/subparagraph

CN = Commencement notice

pres = present

def = definition

prev = previous

DI = Disallowable instrument

(prev...) = previously

dict = dictionary

pt = part

disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative

r = rule/subrule

Assembly

reloc = relocated

div = division

renum = renumbered

exp = expires/expired

R[X] = Republication No

Gaz = gazette

RI = reissue

hdg = heading

s = section/subsection

IA = Interpretation Act 1967

sch = schedule

ins = inserted/added

sdiv = subdivision

LA = Legislation Act 2001

SL = Subordinate law

LR = legislation register

sub = substituted

LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996

underlining = whole or part not commenced

mod = modified/modification

or to be expired

3 Legislation history

Family Violence Act 2016 A2016-42

notified LR 18 August 2016

s 1, s 2 commenced 18 August 2016 (LA s 75 (1))

pt 9 (ss 115-148), s 200, dict defs corresponding law", "family violence concern, family violence order" paragraph (b), "final FVO, foreign order", "FVO, general violence order, "interim FVO", interstate FVO, interstate law enforcement agency", "issuing authority, issuing jurisdiction", "jurisdiction, local FVO, "local law enforcement agency", make, New Zealand FVO", "non-local FVO, participating jurisdiction", "properly notified, recognised amendment", "recognised FVO, registered foreign order commenced 18 August 2017 (s 2 (3) as am by A2017-10

s 7)

remainder commenced 1 May 2017 (s 2 (2) as am by A2017-10

s 7)

as amended by

Family and Personal Violence Legislation Amendment Act 2017

A2017-10 pt 3

notified LR 6 April 2017

s 1, s 2 commenced 6 April 2017 (LA s 75 (1))

s 7 commenced 30 April 2017 (s 2 (1))

ss 58-61, s 63, s 64 commenced 18 August 2017 (s 2 (2) and see Family Violence Act 2016 A2016-42, s 2 (3) (as am by this Act s 7))

pt 3 remainder commenced 1 May 2017 (LA s 79A and see Family Violence Act 2016 A2016-42, s 2 (2) (as am by this Act s 7))

as modified by

Family Violence (Transitional Provisions) Regulation 2017

SL2017-25

notified LR 17 August 2017

s 1, s 2 commenced 17 August 2017 (LA s 75 (1))

remainder commenced 18 August 2017 (s 2 and see Family Violence Act 2016 A2016-42, s 2 (3) (as am by A2017-10

s 7))

as amended by

Statute Law Amendment Act 2017 (No 2)

A2017-28 sch 3 pt 3.6

notified LR 27 September 2017

s 1, s 2 commenced 27 September 2017 (LA s 75 (1))

sch 3 pt 3.6 commenced 11 October 2017 (s 2)

Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (No 3)

A2017-38 pt 10

notified LR 9 November 2017

s 1, s 2 commenced 9 November 2017 (LA s 75 (1))

pt 10 commenced 25 November 2017 (s 2 (2) (a) and see SL2017-32

s 2)

Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2018

A2018-12 pt 5

notified LR 18 April 2018

s 1, s 2 commenced 18 April 2018 (LA s 75 (1))

pt 5 commenced 25 April 2018 (s 2)

Statute Law Amendment Act 2018

A2018-42 sch 3 pt 3.13

notified LR 8 November 2018

s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 1 July 2018 (LA s 75 (2))

sch 3 pt 3.13 commenced 22 November 2018 (s 2 (1))

Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2019

A2019-23 pt 9

notified LR 8 August 2019

s 1, s 2 commenced 8 August 2019 (LA s 75 (1))

pt 9 commenced 15 August 2019 (s 2 (1))

COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020

A2020-11 sch 1 pt 1.6

notified LR 7 April 2020

s 1, s 2 commenced 7 April 2020 (LA s 75 (1))

sch 1 pt 1.6 commenced 8 April 2020 (s 2 (1))

COVID-19 Emergency Response Legislation Amendment Act 2021

A2021-1 sch 1 pt 1.11

notified LR 19 February 2021

s 1, s 2 commenced 19 February 2021 (LA s 75 (1))

sch 1 pt 1.11 commenced 20 February 2021 (s 2 (1))

Family Violence Legislation Amendment Act 2022

A2022-13 pt 5

notified LR 10 August 2022

s 1, s 2 commenced 10 August 2022 (LA s 75 (1))

pt 5 commenced 17 August 2022 (s 2)

Statute Law Amendment Act 2022

A2022-14 sch 3 pt 3.15

notified LR 10 August 2022

s 1, s 2 commenced 10 August 2022 (LA s 75 (1))

sch 3 pt 3.15 commenced 24 August 2022 (s 2)

Sexual Assault Reform Legislation Amendment Act 2023

A2023-15 sch 2 pt 2.2

notified LR 17 May 2023

s 1, s 2 commenced 17 May 2023 (LA s 75 (1))

sch 2 pt 2.2 commenced 24 May 2023 (s 2)

Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Act 2023

A2023-45 pt 7

notified LR 15 November 2023

s 1, s 2 commenced 15 November 2023 (LA s 75 (1))

s 100, s 102, s 104, s 106, s 108 commenced 22 November 2023 (s 2 (1))

pt 7 remainder awaiting commencement

Sexual, Family and Personal Violence Legislation Amendment Act 2024

A2024-40 pt 4

notified LR 12 September 2024

s 1, s 2 commenced 12 September 2024 (LA s 75 (1))

pt 4 commenced 19 September 2024 (s 2)

4 Amendment history

Commencement
s 2 sub A2017-10

s 7
om LA s 89 (4)

Meaning of family violence
s 8 am A2022-13

s 93

Principle about procedures
s 12 am A2017-10

s 8

Rules of evidence
s 13A ins A2017-10

s 9

Matters to be considered—family violence orders
s 14 am A2017-10

s 10, s 11; ss and pars renum R1 LA

Who may apply for protection orders?
s 16 hdg sub A2023-15

amdt 2.3
s 16 am A2023-45

s 100

Child may apply for protection order in same application as parent
s 16A ins A2017-10

s 12

Applications by police officers
s 16B ins A2017-10

s 12

Application forms that require affected person's address
s 17 am A2017-10

s 13

Seeking interim orders
sdiv 3.3.1A hdg ins A2024-40

s 6

Who may seek interim orders?
s 19A ins A2024-40

s 6

Interim orders—may be made any time before application for final order is decided
s 20 am A2017-10

s 14
sub A2024-40

s 7

General interim orders—length
s 24 am A2017-10

s 15

General interim orders—taken to be special interim orders if related charges laid
s 26 am A2017-10

s 16, s 17

General interim orders—further orders
s 27 am A2023-15

amdt 2.4

General interim orders—extension for non-service of final order
s 29 am A2024-40

s 8

Special interim orders—application not to be decided until related charges finalised
s 31 am A2017-10

s 18; pars renum R1 LA

Special interim orders—final application decided
s 32 am A2017-10

s 19, s 20

Consent orders
s 33 am A2023-15

amdt 2.5

Consent to interim order becoming final order
s 33A ins A2017-10

s 21

Final orders—length
s 35 am A2017-10

s 22

Offence—contravention of family violence order
s 43 am A2024-40

s 9

Family violence order continues in force when protected person becomes adult
s 44A ins A2024-40

s 10

What Magistrates Court must do after receiving application for protection order
div 4.1 hdg sub A2017-10

s 23

Meaning of timing notice
s 45 sub A2017-10

s 23

Interim order not sought
s 46 sub A2017-10

s 23; A2024-40

s 11

Interim order sought
s 47 sub A2017-10

s 23; A2024-40

s 11

Service of application etc on others
s 48 sub A2017-10

s 23

Preliminary conferences
div 4.2 hdg sub A2017-10

s 23

Preliminary conferences—generally
s 49 sub A2017-10

s 23
am A2024-40

s 12

Adjournment of preliminary conference for non-service
s 50 sub A2017-10

s 23

If no consent order at preliminary conference
s 51 sub A2017-10

s 23

Non-attendance by party
div 4.2A hdg ins A2017-10

s 23

Meaning of returned before the court—div 4.2A
s 52 ins A2017-10

s 23

Applicant not present at return of application
s 53 ins A2017-10

s 23
am A2023-15

amdt 2.6

Respondent not present at return of application
s 54 ins A2017-10

s 23

Neither party present at return of application
s 54A ins A2017-10

s 23

Applicant not present at return of application
s 55 om A2017-10

s 24

Respondent not present at return of application
s 56 om A2017-10

s 24

Neither party present at return of application
s 57 om A2017-10

s 24

Public hearing not required
s 59 am A2017-10

s 25, s 26

Notice of grounds of defence
s 60A ins A2017-10

s 27

Applicant may rely on additional information in hearing
s 60B ins A2017-10

s 27

If child and child's parent are affected people
s 60C ins A2017-10

s 27

Children as witnesses
s 60D ins A2017-10

s 27

Discontinuance
s 61 am A2017-10

s 28

Giving evidence by affidavit for interim order
s 62A ins A2017-10

s 29
am A2019-23

s 34

Explaining orders if protected person present
s 67 am A2024-40

s 13, s 14; pars renum R16 LA

Service of protection orders
s 70 om A2017-10

s 30

Service of documents
div 4.4A hdg ins A2017-10

s 31

Personal service of application on respondent
s 70A ins A2017-10

s 31

Dismissal of application for non-service
s 70B ins A2017-10

s 31

Service of protection orders
s 70C ins A2017-10

s 31

Self-represented parties
s 70D ins A2017-10

s 31

Service of documents by police
s 70E ins A2017-10

s 31

Giving documents to child or child's parent or guardian
s 70F ins A2017-10

s 31

Affidavit of service of documents by police
s 70G ins A2019-23

s 35

Request for further particulars
s 71A ins A2017-10

s 32

Directions about procedure
s 72 om A2017-10

s 33

Costs
s 73 am A2017-10

s 34

Child respondents
s 75 sub A2023-45

s 102

Representation—party with impaired decision-making ability
s 76 am A2023-45

s 104

Litigation guardian—appointment
s 78 am A2017-10

s 35

Amendment of protection orders—preliminary conferences
s 82A ins A2017-10

s 36
sub A2024-40

s 15

Provisional amendment of protection order in special or exceptional circumstances
s 82B ins A2024-40

s 15

Amendment of protection orders
s 83 am A2017-10

ss 37-39; pars renum R1 LA

General interim orders made by consent—extension
s 85 am A2017-10

s 40, s 41

Final orders—extension
s 86 am A2017-10

s 42

Special interim orders—application for review
s 87 am A2017-10

s 43

Special interim orders—review
s 88 am A2017-10

s 44

Final orders—application for review
s 89 hdg sub A2017-10

s 45
s 89 am A2017-10

ss 46-48; ss renum R1 LA

Final orders—review
s 90 hdg sub A2017-10

s 49
s 90 am A2017-10

s 50

Consent orders—review
s 91 am A2017-10

s 51, s 52

Review of orders—preliminary conference
s 91A ins A2017-10

s 53
sub A2024-40

s 16

Magistrate review of registrar decisions
s 91B ins A2024-40

s 16

Giving notice of appeal
s 94 om A2017-10

s 54

Police officer may apply for after-hours order
s 99 am A2023-45

s 106

Court-initiated interim orders
s 112 am A2017-10

s 55; A2024-40

s 17, s 18; ss renum R16 LA

Interim court-initiated protection order taken to be special interim order
s 113 am A2017-10

s 56, s 57

Definitions—pt 9
s 115 def general violence order am A2018-42

amdt 3.43
def New Zealand FVO am A2022-14

amdt 3.93
def registered foreign order sub A2017-10

s 58

Meaning of family violence concern—pt 9
s 116 am A2018-42

amdt 3.44

Meaning of properly notified—pt 9
s 117 am A2017-10

s 59

Making new orders
s 123 am A2017-10

s 60

Registration of foreign orders
div 9.3A hdg ins A2017-10

s 61

Applications for registration of foreign orders
s 134A ins A2017-10

s 61

Registration of foreign orders
s 134B ins A2017-10

s 61

FVOs declared to be recognised FVOs
s 144 am A2017-28

amdt 3.14

Deciding application if criminal proceedings
s 151 am A2023-15

amdt 2.7

Review of Act
s 156 ins A2022-13

s 94
exp 17 August 2027 (s 156 (2))

Transitional
pt 20 hdg exp 1 May 2019 (s 202)

Definitions—pt 20
s 198 hdg sub A2017-38

s 26
s 198 ins A2017-10

s 62
mod SL2017-25

mod 1.1 (mod exp 24 November 2017 (see SL2017-25

s 4))
def operational date ins A2017-38

s 27
exp 1 May 2019 (s 202)

Applications and orders under repealed Act
s 199 ins A2017-10

s 62
am A2017-10

s 63; ss renum R2 LA; A2018-12

s 7
exp 1 May 2019 (s 202)

Existing registered orders under repealed Act
s 200 am A2017-10

s 64
mod SL2017-25

mod 1.2 (mod exp 24 November 2017 (see SL2017-25

s 4))
am A2017-38

s 28
exp 1 May 2019 (s 202)

Preservation of repealed Act, pt 12
s 200A ins A2017-10

s 65
mod SL2017-25

mod 1.3 (mod exp 24 November 2017 (see SL2017-25

s 4))
am A2017-38

s 29
exp 1 May 2019 (s 202)

Modification—s 134A
s 200B ins as mod SL2017-25

mod 1.4
exp 24 November 2017 (see SL2017-25

s 4)

Transitional regulations
s 201 exp 1 May 2019 (s 202)

Expiry—pt 20
s 202 exp 1 May 2019 (s 202)

Repeals and consequential amendments
pt 21 hdg om LA s 89 (3)

Legislation repealed
s 203 om LA s 89 (3)

Legislation amended—schs 2 and 3
s 204 om LA s 89 (3)

COVID-19 emergency response
pt 22 hdg ins A2020-11