LAQ’s family law arbitration client agreements are changing

The new Family Law Regulations 2024, which began on 1 April 2025, include new requirements for your arbitration agreements with clients.

The changes include:

• all parties, including the arbitrator, must sign the agreement
• the agreement must specify the costs and the details of the arbitration process
• the client must sign a declaration stating they received independent legal advice before signing the agreement
• the client’s solicitor must sign a declaration they provided their client with legal advice.

We have updated our Family Law Case Management Guidelines to reflect the changes. The guidelines provide more information about the advice lawyers must give clients to meet the new regulations, in particular around Part 3, Regulation 27, which outlines the arbitration requirements.

You’re invited to attend a CPD webinar on 4 September 2025, from 1-2pm, to learn more about the changes. Register here.