Family Court Hearings

When you begin family law proceedings, you may be required to attend Court multiple times before your matter is ready for trial. Each appearance has a specific purpose, and understanding the types of hearings involved can help manage your expectations.

There are several types of family court hearings, including:

Directions Hearings
Interim Hearings
Argument Hearings.

Directions Hearing

A Directions Hearing is typically a short administrative appearance designed to help move the matter forward. At this stage, the Court can make procedural orders to progress your case or encourage resolution without the need for a trial.

Orders made at a Directions Hearing may include:

An adjournment if the parties appear close to agreement
Referral to conciliation or mediation
A Children’s Conference to help parties agree on a parenting plan, which can later be formalised as parenting orders.

Interim Hearing

An Interim Hearing is a short hearing (usually 15–30 minutes) where the Court makes temporary orders. These interim orders remain in place until final orders are made or until they are varied or set aside at a later hearing.

Common types of interim orders include:

Injunctions to stop a party from selling or disposing of assets
Exclusion orders, including who may live in the family home
Orders for the sale of the family home
Parenting orders addressing who the children live with or spend time with
Restrictions on communication between parties
Alcohol or drug testing, or behavioural monitoring
Interim spousal maintenance payments.

Interim hearings are important because they can significantly affect day-to-day arrangements for children, finances, or property during proceedings.

Argument Hearing

An Argument Hearing is required when the parties need more time to make detailed submissions to the Judge about the orders they are seeking. This may be necessary where:

The legal or factual issues are complex and need explanation
The parties are in significant disagreement
There are preliminary disputes that must be resolved before trial

Argument hearings can take a few hours or more, depending on the matter’s complexity.

Contact Us

If you’re unsure about what to expect during any stage of your family law matter, our experienced practitioners can guide you through the process. We offer a free 30-minute consultation to help you get started with confidence.