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Grandparent’s Rights For Access to Grandchildren

Grandparent’s Rights For Access to Grandchildren

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January 19, 2022

Separation or conflict can sometimes result in a grandparent’s access to their grandchildren being restricted or refused. The Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and Family Court Act 1997 (WA)  recognises the significant role that grandparents play in a child’s life and affords them rights, as “other people significant to a child’s care”, to spend time

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Fixed Sum or a Percentage Division – How Should Property Orders be Drafted?

Fixed Sum or a Percentage Division – How Should Property Orders be Drafted?

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January 18, 2022

Whether or not you reach an agreement on property settlement orders by consent (i.e., filed under cover of a Form 11 Application for Consent Orders) or, whether you are considering your orders sought for a Family Court application, it is important to consider the practical outcome of the orders. In

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Is the requirement to quarantine (under the Public Health Act) a “reasonable excuse” to contravene a parenting order?

Is the requirement to quarantine (under the Public Health Act) a “reasonable excuse” to contravene a parenting order?

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September 21, 2021

In Kardos & Harmon [2020] FamCA 328 (7 May 2020) McClelland DCJ heard an application by a father alleging that the mother had engaged in a contravention of a parenting order which provided for their three year old child to travel from Adelaide to spend time with the father in Darwin and/or

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Family Violence Restraining Orders

Family Violence Restraining Orders

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September 13, 2021

Family Violence Restraining Orders (FVROs) are orders made by the Court (either the Magistrate’s Court or the Children’s Court) that restrain a person (the Respondent or Person Bound) from engaging in specified behaviours against another person (the Applicant or Person Protected). Application Process To obtain an FVRO, the Applicant must

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Meet Our Team

Grace Hammond - Cert. III Business Administration (Legal)

Legal Secretary

Grace has worked in the legal industry since 2010 beginning her career as a receptionist for a regional law firm practicing in all areas of law. Realising her love for all things legal, Grace grew her skillset and knowledge by completing a Certificate III in Business and Legal Administration, and achieving a promotion into the role of Legal Secretary and Office manager within the firm.

In 2015, Grace moved to Perth where she began her journey with Dimond Family Lawyers. She took on a significant role at the time, including drafting documents, collating disclosure, court attendances and managing day to day activities. She delivered her work to a high standard and made our clients feel welcome with her easy and approachable style.

Grace then took a step back at the end of 2017 to move home (to the Great Southern), starting a family of her own and building a life for herself. However, with a passion for Family Law it was only a matter of time before we welcomed Grace back to Dimond Family Lawyers, to help run our regional activities in Albany. Commencing in February 2025 and working from the Great Southern, we knew that our clients would be well looked after.

When not at work, you can find Grace teaching reformer Pilates in her studio located in Mt Barker, Western Australia, enjoying quality time with her young family and making the most of all the things the Great Southern has to offer.

Tenielle Fernando - LLB, BA, GDLP

Associate

Tenielle completed a double degree in Law and Arts (History) at Edith Cowin University, following which she completed her Practical Legal Training with a prominent criminal barrister.

In 2016, Tenielle secured a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and was admitted to practice in May 2017.

During her legal career to date, Tenielle has gained experience at a generalist firm in regional Great Southern with a focus on family law, criminal law, restraining orders, property, wills, and estates.

During 2020, Tenielle expanded her experience through a boutique family law firm in Perth with autonomous responsibility for managing family law files from commencement to conclusion, including written letters of advice and correspondence, consent order applications, attending procedural hearings, interim hearings, Conciliation Conferences, Case Assessment Conferences, and mediation-based events.
Tenielle’s experience in restraining orders includes interim negotiations through to representation at trial (on behalf of applicants and respondents).

Tenielle has a compassionate and professional approach to family law with a focus on implementing creative solutions to resolve matters without unnecessary litigation.

Feedback from previous clients is consistently positive, with particular notice of Tenielle’s practical, informed and candid approach to liaison with clients and provision of advice.

When not in the office, Tenielle enjoys cooking, gardening (the rarer the plant or vegetable the better!), travelling, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Renee Cowley

Legal Secretary/Legal Assistant

Renee has worked primarily in a family law environment for over 23 years, with extensive knowledge of Family Court procedures, including additional experience in Wills and Estates, including Probate and Letters of Administration applications.

Renee obtained her Diploma of Legal Studies in 2017, which has supported her progress into roles that require the skills of a legal assistant.

At Dimond Family Lawyers, Renee works in a hybrid role, completing senior secretarial duties, but also (as a legal assistant) producing initial draft court documents, taking instructions from clients, and producing analysis of disclosure.

Renee is client-focused with an open and informed approach to working with clients, staff, and colleagues.

She genuinely enjoys assisting our clients move towards a new chapter in their life.Outside of work hours, Renee enjoys spending time with her family and friends, long-distance running, being outdoors in the summer months, camping, and socialising.

Rachell - BA (Hons), PGDL, LLM

Senior Associate

Rachell is an experienced Senior Associate with a wealth of experience working in family law in the United Kingdom, Queensland and Western Australia. Rachell is dual qualified to practice in England & Wales (2003) and Western Australia, which enables her to assist both Australian and local British clients with Western Australian and UK family law proceedings.

Rachell provides accurate and tailored advice across a broad range of family law matters including complex property matters, parenting matters, binding financial agreements, child support agreements, family violence matters, and divorce proceedings. Rachell implements a collaborative approach to law, with a focus on guiding clients through mediation/dispute resolution events to resolve matters by consent where possible. If matters can’t be resolved in these settings, Rachell has strong advocacy skills to actively engage in complex court events and conferences.

On a personal level, Rachell is a compassionate lawyer with a proven history of providing positive and informed support to her clients through difficult family law matters. Outside the office, Rachell enjoys spending time with her dogs and supporting a local dog charity. She also sings in a community choir and enjoys travelling and spending time with her friends and family across the globe.

Leanne Galloway - LLB (Hons)

Associate

Leanne is a UK and WA qualified solicitor, having been admitted to practice in each jurisdiction in 2007 and 2018, respectively. She has significant post qualification experience in family law, criminal law and personal injury advice and litigation.

With specific experience working with government agencies addressing issues relating to family violence and child safety, Leanne brings a breath of family law experience, coupled with a practical and informed approach.

Most recently in Western Australia, Leanne has practiced solely in the area of family law, including the provision of advice in the areas of parenting disputes, relocation cases, family violence restraining orders, surrogacy, complex property matters, bankruptcy, and other areas of family law.

Leanne has a passion for family law and justice and is defined by her compassionate and informed approach to the provision of practical and tailored advice to her clients in all areas of family law.

Outside of the office, Leanne has worked as a volunteer through her local community football club, as well as having a strong interest in the practice and coaching of martial arts, having achieved a brown belt.

Erryn Dimond - BPHE, GRAD DIP Ed, JD, GDLP

Legal Practice Director

Erryn is an experienced family law practitioner, having worked in the Perth family law sector since early 2009.

Throughout her career, Erryn has gathered extensive experience and knowledge of complex financial matters, complex parenting matters, including litigation involving family violence (including restraining orders).

Whilst working in a family law paralegal role for 4 years under the supervision of an experienced senior legal practitioner, Erryn completed a Juris Doctor (Law) at Murdoch University in 2012, and post-graduate Practical Legal Training through the Australian National University in 2013.

Erryn is a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association of Western Australia, the Law Society of Western Australia, and the Law Council of Australia (Family Law Section).

Erryn is known for her empathetic and strategic approach to family law matters, as well as her candid and professional communication style.

Erryn has practical experience in a broad range of Family Law related matters and events including Procedural Hearings, Interim Arguments, Trials, Conciliation and Case Assessment Conferences, Child Dispute Conferences, external Mediation-Style Conferences, Legal Aid Dispute Resolution, and Family Court appeals.

Outside of work hours, Erryn has a keen interest in food and wine. She also enjoys playing tennis, travelling, and spending time with her family and friends.

Emma Harris - LLB, BBus and GDLP

Associate

Since being admitted to practice in early 2019, Emma has worked primarily in family law. During her career to date, Emma has been required to provide advice upon a broad range of matters including property settlement, spousal maintenance, parenting matters, divorce and family violence restraining orders.Emma is compassionate, practical and solution-focussed in her approach to practice, and particularly when guiding clients through the difficult circumstances that arise during separation.

Chantell Perry - Dip. LEG.SER

Legal Secretary/Legal Assistant

Chantell brings a vast array of legal experience to our team, previously working in the areas of personal injuries and workers compensation claims, motor vehicle and industrial accident claims, conveyancing, companies work, wills & estates, general and commercial litigation, consumer and insurance litigation, civil litigation, customs matters, employment law and criminal law since 1996.

Chantell has worked primarily in family law since 2005. Consequently, she has a broad and thorough knowledge of family law processes and procedures.

At Dimond Family Lawyers, Chantell undertakes tasks as a senior legal secretary and a legal assistant, including liaison with clients, law firms, Court representatives and related parties, as well as drafting Court documents, correspondence, and producing spreadsheet analysis from disclosure provided.

With an experienced and practical approach to her role, Chantell is well known at Dimond Family Lawyers for her positive and resilient attitude.

Chantell has completed the Legal Assistants Training Course at the Law Society of Western Australia and also holds a Diploma of Legal Services through the College of Law, Education and Training.

When not at work, Chantell enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, socialising with friends, camping, beach activities and the general outdoors.

Call us on (08) 9443 1111