Family Law Act 1975

In this Part:

in relation to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia—the Chief Executive Officer; and

in relation to the Family Court of Western Australia—the Principal Registrar of the Court; and

in relation to any other court—the chief executive officer or principal registrar (however described) of the court.

for civil proceedings—the taking of a step or the making of an application that may be necessary before proceedings can be started against a party; and

for proceedings before a tribunal—the taking of a step or the making of an application that may be necessary before proceedings can be started before the tribunal; and

for criminal proceedings—the making of a complaint or the obtaining of a warrant for the arrest of an alleged offender; and

for civil or criminal proceedings or proceedings before a tribunal—the taking of a step or the making of an application that may be necessary to start an appeal in relation to the proceedings or to a decision made in the course of the proceedings.

in relation to a court—has the meaning given by subsection 4(1); and

in relation to a tribunal—means a proceeding in the tribunal, whether between parties or not, and includes an incidental proceeding in the course of, or in connection with, a proceeding.

proceedings in relation to a particular matter; and

proceedings against a particular person.

proceedings that are an abuse of the process of a court or tribunal; and

proceedings instituted in a court or tribunal to harass or annoy, to cause delay or detriment, or for another wrongful purpose; and

proceedings instituted or pursued in a court or tribunal without reasonable ground; and

proceedings conducted in a court or tribunal in a way so as to harass or annoy, cause delay or detriment, or achieve another wrongful purpose.

A reference in this Part to a person acting in concert with another person in instituting or conducting proceedings does not include a reference to a person who is so acting as a lawyer or representative of the other person.