Course overview

An essential introduction for non-legal practitioners on writing court reports, attending court, and effectively supporting clients within legal obligations.

Elevate your confidence and competence with this practical workshop tailored for non-legal practitioners. Gain essential insights into the legal requirements and responsibilities involved in writing court reports and supporting clients as witnesses or support persons in court. Explore key report types used by the Federal Circuit and Family Courts and Melbourne Magistrates’ Court—including Parenting Reports, Child Assessments, Family Reports, and Intervention Order Assessments. Understand the critical legislation underpinning your work, including the Family Law Act 1975 and Children, Youth and Families Act 2005. Plus, learn valuable strategies for managing professional relationships post-court and maintaining your own well-being through effective stress management and self-care. Join us to develop the skills and knowledge that will empower you to support your clients confidently and professionally.

Who should attend

This course is suitable for non-legal practitioners, such as psychologists, counsellors, and social workers, who are involved in court-related work or report writing.

Course structure

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

• How the Family Court, Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, and Federal Circuit Court of Australia operate
• Duties and requirements when attending court as a subpoenaed witness
• Duties and requirements when attending court as a support person
• The purpose, structure, and use of court reports
• How court reports are used, including issues that may arise during cross-examination
• The impact of maintaining a professional relationship with clients after court preparation
• The importance of self-care and stress management when involved in court processes

About the presenters

Lilia Szarski is a clinical supervisor and experienced trainer at Relationships Australia Victoria. She is also a family dispute resolution (FDR) practitioner and a registered psychologist. Lilia has worked extensively in the Family Court on issues related to separation, divorce, and children’s living arrangements. She brings expert knowledge from preparing family reports, conducting FDR, providing counselling and therapy, facilitating parenting coordination of court orders, and offering clinical supervision. She holds memberships with the Australian Psychological Society, the International Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and the International Association of Applied Psychologists.

Enrolment and course access

Register online through our secure payment gateway, and a Moodle account will be created automatically for you to access the course materials. Please note, registrations close 48 hours before the workshop start date, and full payment must be received at least 2 business days prior to avoid cancellation. For invoice payments, proof of payment is required at least 24 hours before the event.

Training Workshops Cancellation Statement (PDF)

Technical requirements

To participate in the online workshop, you’ll need access to:

• A desktop or laptop computer
• Reliable internet connection
• Headphones (recommended)
• Microphone and speakers
• A built-in or external webcam

Contact us

For further details or questions, please contact our Centre for Learning and Innovation:

• Phone: (03) 8573 2222
• Email: [email protected]