Family Court Rules 2021

A document that is filed must be served on each person to be served —

if a provision elsewhere in these rules specifies a time for service — within the specified time; or

in any other case — as soon as possible after the date of filing and within 12 months after that date.

Despite subrule (1) and rule 121, the following documents do not have to be served on any other party —

a joint application;

an application without notice;

an affidavit of service;

a document signed by all parties;

an affidavit seeking the issue, without notice, of an enforcement warrant under rule 385 or a third party debt notice under rule 403.

If a document or notice is served on or given to a party under these rules, a copy of the document or notice must also be served on or given to any independent children’s lawyer.

For the purposes of subrule (1) —

all parties to the case; and

any independent children’s lawyer; and

any other person specifically required by a legislative provision or order to be served in the case.