• Class Number 4370
  • Term Code 2930
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Mode of Delivery Online
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Olivia Gesini
  • LECTURER
    • Olivia Gesini
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 25/02/2019
  • Class End Date 31/05/2019
  • Census Date 31/03/2019
  • Last Date to Enrol 04/03/2019
SELT Survey Results

Family Law (Children) is designed to prepare students (including current practitioners) for running children’s cases at a best-practice level. This course will focus on specified issues in children’s matters at a high level, yet with significant practical application.

The topics covered at this level introduce new material at a significantly more advanced and in-depth level. This will include theoretical, legislative, case-law, procedural (including inter-disciplinary) and practice ready components.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. Demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge to reflect critically on the legal and social science principles to determine what is in a child’s best interests.
  2. Synthesise complex information regarding theories of attachment, impact of violence and other issues affecting children in the context of their practical application to a particular family unit.
  3. Apply theoretical knowledge and analytical and forensic skills to identify issues and to gather and analyse evidence, including expert evidence to effectively advise the client or a court how to determine the matter.
  4. Understand principles of engaging an expert witness sufficiently to prepare appropriate briefing material and apply those principles to formulate appropriate questions for the expert to consider.
  5. Reflect critically on the implications of the theoretical knowledge for application in other areas of family law practice such as dealing with welfare authorities.
  6. Plan and execute a substantial research based project — whether by written or oral submission or advice to a client.
  7. Design a comprehensive strategy to critically review by cross examination, an expert report that has raised issues relevant to a child’s best interests.

Research-Led Teaching

The distinctive research-led features of this course are:

  • Research-based learning projects are engaging and allow you to develop skills, approaches and understandings which are essential to future Family Law practitioners.
  • Case studies researched and developed by the convenor from her significant experience of legal practice enable the convenor’s enthusiasm, expertise and up-to date relevant practical knowledge of the relevant area to be shared with you.
  • You also benefit from doing your own research guided by the weekly course materials building towards the major research-based learning project, all against the background of the case studies.
  • For the purposes of this course, the following (student-devised) description of the tasks encompassed by the term ‘research’ is apt:

‘Research’ means: 

  • Reading and collecting information
  • Analysing and interpreting that information
  • Testing or establishing theories
  • Collecting your own data and adding to knowledge

Required Resources

There are no prescribed text(s) for this course. 

The Wattle course site contains a number of extracts of relevant materials.

The Family Law service within CCH Intelliconnect (via ANU online library) provides useful commentary and extracts of the legislation.

There is no prescribed preliminary reading.

If you do not have a strong or recent background in the subject matter, it is highly desirable for you to complete preliminary reading at least before the first week of the course.

Suggested preliminary reading is CCH Intelliconnect (Family Law) chapter ¶13 (Children) and chapter ¶16 (Best interests of the child). It is available from the ANU Library online resources (under ‘C’).

Staff Feedback

You will be given written and/or oral feedback pointing out things that have been done well and those that could be done better or differently. You will be given written or oral feedback following any submission of an assessment. This is typically available 1-4 weeks after submission of the assessment. You may seek further elaboration on any feedback - either from your marker or by the Convenor. If you feel that your feedback and grade does not reflect your performance, please contact the Convenor in writing and outline your concerns. Your submission will be re-marked by a new examiner.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

External Resources

Information about the ANU Law Library, including details of E-Legal research online resources (for example, CCH Intelliconnect, Legal Online, LexisNexisAU, etc) is available to ANU students and can be found at http://anulib.anu.edu.au/subjects/law. For access to the online resources please go to: http://virtual.anu.edu.au then type in your student number and password. At various points throughout the course you will be directed to other useful external resources.


Referencing Requirements

Where required, students must use footnotes for referencing and the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (http://www.law.unimelb.edu.au/mulr/aglc) for the citation style. 


Word Limits

The method of calculation of word length for assessment pieces in this course is a global word count. This means that when calculating the number of words of a piece of assessment students must include all headings, text, and footnotes (excluding bibliography). Students should calculate this using Microsoft Word’s word count function or equivalent. The default penalty is as follows: the mark which is awarded initially will be reduced by half the proportion by which the word limit has been exceeded. As an example, if the word limit is 2,000 words, and the essay submitted is 3,000 words long, then the initial mark for the essay would be reduced by 25% of that mark.

Papers which fall short of words will not be penalised on that basis alone. However, short papers risk failing to address the question adequately.


ANU Library

All enrolled ANU students can access the ANU databases (including the full-text databases such as Westlaw) through the ANU Library webpage http://anulib.anu.edu.au/lib_home.html

Opening hours for the Law Library can be accessed at http://anulib.anu.edu.au/using-the-library/opening-hours/.

To access restricted ANU web pages from home as though coming from a computer on campus you need the Reverse Proxy Server known as ‘Virtual’. You can access virtual through http://virtual.anu.edu.au/login.

Students living near another law school may need to access print resources from their local school. ANU students can use these collections through the University Library Australia national borrowing scheme. The scheme allows people who are enrolled at a university in one city to access university libraries in another city at a reduced rate. For further information see http://www.caul.edu.au/caul-programs/university-library-australia.

Students who wish to participate in this scheme need to join at the library they wish to access material from. The cost of the scheme is $50 per academic year.

The ANU document delivery service is available for remotely located students in non-capital cities. For further information see https://anulib.anu.edu.au/using-the-library/document-supply-services/.

The ANU Library Off-Campus Service is available to students who live more than 60 kilometres from the ANU campus at Acton, ACT. Before using the service for the first time, you will need to complete the online User Agreement Form. You will then be able to request a book, table of contents, chapter or article using the request forms on the Off-Campus Service web pages. For further information see http://anulib.anu.edu.au/offcampus/.

 

Sub-Dean, GDLP/MLP

The GDLP/MLP Sub-Dean can be contacted via email on subdean.slp@anu.edu.au


Wellbeing Support Services for Lawyers

You will find wellbeing support information for lawyers on the ANU School of Legal Practice website. We also encourage you to read Being Well in the Law – a guide for lawyers which is a toolkit is provided by the NSW Law Society, written by our ANU Academics.


Contacting the Convenor

Initially a request for student consultation is to be made by the student sending a message to the Convenor using the one-to-one communication tool in the Course Wattle site. The Convenor will then respond to the student, usually within 24 hours. Telephone consultation can be arranged in this way if necessary.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 Principles of parenting cases revisited The legislative pathway Shared v sole parental responsibility ‘Best interests of the child’ – what does it mean? Overview of the s60CC factors Assessment 1 Quiz due: Friday 1 March 2019 - 10.00pm (AEDT)
2 A Child’s best interests – Aspects of the Child Attachment Child development Vulnerability Significance of Siblings Assessment 1 Discussion Topic post due: Friday 8 March 2019 - 10.00pm (AEDT)
3 A Child’s best interests – Aspects of the Child cont'd Attachment Child development Vulnerability Significance of Siblings Assessment Task 2 Discussion Topic post 1 due: Sunday 17 March 2019 - 10.00pm (AEDT)
4 A Child’s best interests – Complex Issues of the Parent Parental mental health Alcohol and substance abuse Family violence Sexual abuse of a child
5 Other issues affecting parenting cases Religion, education, aboriginality and other cultures Unacceptable risk Supervising a parent’s time with a child Access to justice Assessment Task 2 Discussion Topic post 2 due: Sunday 31 March 2019 - 10.00pm (AEDT)
6 Applying social science - Evidence The Courts’ approach to social science Proving issues raised by the social science literature Strategies for preparing admissible evidence Assessment Task 3 Advice to Senior Partner due: Sunday 7 April 2019, but accepted during study break until Friday 19 April 2019 - 10.00pm (AEST)
7 Applying social science - Experts Selection of experts – Family Consultant, Reg 7, single expert Selecting the right area of expertise – medical, psychological, psychiatric Additional or shadow experts Admissibility issues with expert reports – Part 15; Makita v Sprowles Challenging experts
8 The Independent Children’s Lawyer Role of the ICL Interviewing children and obtaining evidence from them Role of the Family Consultant Protecting the child from multiple examinations Ethical duties of the ICL and parties’ lawyers regarding a child’s welfare Assessment Task 2 Discussion Topic post 3 due: Sunday 5 May 2019 - 10.00pm (AEST)
9 Further complexities Parental alienation Protecting children from multiple, intrusive and or incompetent forensic examinations. Disclosure and Admissibility of reports Assessment Task 2 Discussion Topic post 4 due: Sunday 12 May 2019 - 10.00pm (AEST)
10 Other practical issues Overlap with the protection order jurisdiction Overlap with the welfare jurisdiction
11 Review and reflection Assessment Task 4 due: Sunday 26 May 2019 - 10.00pm (AEST)
12 Final Wrap-up Reflective Discussion Assessment Task 2 Forum post discussion due: Friday 31 May 2019 - 10.00pm (AEST) Assessment Task 5 Reflective Discussion due: Between Monday 27 May 2019 (9am) & Friday 31 May 2019 (7pm) at pre-arranged times

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date Return of assessment Learning Outcomes
Quiz and Post (CRS) 0 % 01/03/2019 04/03/2019 1, 2, 3, 5
Discussion Topic posts (25%) 25 % 31/05/2019 02/06/2019 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6,7
Advice to Senior Partner (50%) 50 % 19/04/2019 12/05/2019 1, 2, 3, 6
Advice on admissibility, draft questions to expert and schedule to Subpoena (20%) 20 % 26/05/2019 02/06/2019 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Reflective Discussion (5%) 5 % 31/05/2019 02/06/2019 1, 2, 3, 5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

You must check Wattle course announcements and forum discussions as well as your ANU email at least every 24-48 hours.

All email correspondence from the ANU will be sent to your ANU email address. You may arrange for your ANU Email to be forwarded to an email address you check daily.

Alternatively, set your personal setting to provide you with all the reminders you need to achieve this. At the end of the day, it is your responsibility to ensure you are actively committed and involved in this course.

The course will be conducted in the following time zones (Canberra time). 

Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT): from 7 October 2018 to 7 April 2019.

Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): from 7 April 2019 to 6 October 2019. 

Please make appropriate adjustments if you are located in a different time zone.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 0 %
Due Date: 01/03/2019
Return of Assessment: 04/03/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5

Quiz and Post (CRS)

Format: Online quiz and posts: The quiz is to get you thinking about best interests of the child and will be available to complete prior to the course commencing. Your answers will be part of a summary of results released to all students in the course, but all responses will be anonymous. The quiz relates to your own views and does not require any pre-reading. Once you have done the quiz and considered the readings which will be released once it has been completed, you must contribute a post to the related Discussion Topic.

Submission Date:

Quiz due: Friday 1 March 2019 - 8.00pm (AEDT)*

Discussion Topic due: Friday 8 March - 10.00pm (AEDT)*

*Please note: the due date listed in the assessment summary for assignment 1, relates to the Quiz, the Discussion Topic is due Friday 8 March 2019 - 10.00pm AEDT

Length: Not applicable to quiz, 500 words for the Discussion Topic post

Estimated Date of Results: For the Quiz - Monday 4 March 2019

Assessment Criteria:

a) Preparing and understanding the material

  • Consulting and reading pre-assigned materials before posting
  • Linking material between various aspects of the class and different lectures

b) Thinking critically about the material

  • Looking at questions from different angles, including where appropriate across jurisdictions
  • Questioning assumptions
  • Using effective language

c) Expressing ideas clearly

  • So that other students and the instructor can understand them
  • Using relevant examples

d) Engaging with other students in the discussion

  • Including encouraging others to speak
  • Responding to what other have said
  • Being respectful of a range of views and opinions

Assessment Task 2

Value: 25 %
Due Date: 31/05/2019
Return of Assessment: 02/06/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6,7

Discussion Topic posts (25%)

There will be a number of Topics during the semester to which you can contribute.

20% of Mark: Is for four assessable posts (5% each). You must submit one assessable post to each of the four assessable Topics. You are entitled to and strongly encouraged to post more than once to a Discussion Topic but you must select which post for each Topic you wish to submit for assessment at the end of the course. Although we want your opinion, these posts must be researched and properly referenced, not just personal thoughts. Cases and other documents cited should include the page and/or paragraph reference of the section cited. The assessable posts should add to the debate and not simply repeat other postings or ‘recite the text book’. You may take a different perspective (e.g. make a comparative point from another jurisdiction; look at the issue from a law reform perspective).

5% of Mark: Is for contributions to two otherwise non- assessable Topics. All Discussion Topics are designed for you to engage in a dialogue with the Convenor and the other students. You are able to track your own contributions within WATTLE (within your profile settings select ‘activity reports’). It will show you what, and how often, you are contributing to the course.

Format: Posts within WATTLE. Your chosen posts should be all ‘cut and pasted’ into a single word document for submission to the dropbox for final assessment. All topics will be re-opened in week 11 so you can select them. You must identify the topic number and the date it was submitted to that topic’s forum for each post.

Submission Date:

Week 3: Sunday 17 March 2019 - 10.00pm (AEDT) to the Discussion Topic.*

Week 5: Sunday 31 March 2019 - 10.00pm (AEDT) to the Discussion Topic.*

Week 8: Sunday 5 May 2019 - 10.00pm (AEST) to the Discussion Topic.*

Week 9: Sunday 12 May 2019 - 10.00pm (AEST) to the Discussion Topic.*

As far as possible, the topics will be released 2 weeks before they are due.

By the end of the final assessment week, Week 12 (by Friday 31 May 2019 by 10.00pm AEST) you must also submit the posts you wish to submit for assessment (one from each assessable topic) to the Discussion Topic Assessment dropbox.


*Please note: the due date listed in the Assessment Summary is the due date of the final discussion posts, please see due dates for the four assessable posts above


Length: Each assessable post is up to 500 words ONLY. Other posts may be as short as a sentence.

Estimated Date of Results: Sunday 2 June 2019

Assessment Criteria:

a) Preparing and understanding the material

  • Consulting and reading pre-assigned materials before posting
  • Linking material between various aspects of the class and different lectures

b) Thinking critically about the material

  • Looking at questions from different angles, including where appropriate across jurisdictions
  • Questioning assumptions
  • Using effective language

c) Expressing ideas clearly

  • So that other students and the instructor can understand them
  • Using relevant examples

d) Engaging with other students in the discussion

  • Including encouraging others to speak
  • Responding to what other have said
  • Being respectful of a range of views and opinions

Assessment Task 3

Value: 50 %
Due Date: 19/04/2019
Return of Assessment: 12/05/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 6

Advice to Senior Partner (50%)

This advice must evidence both your research and understanding and your application of that research to the facts of the scenario. Case and other source references are required. A list of authorities must be submitted as a schedule to the advice (note this schedule will be treated in the same way as a bibliography for the purposes of compliance with the word length policy). Cases and other documents cited should include the page and/or paragraph reference of the section cited. The focus is on clarity of expression and structure as well as the content.

Format: Advice to the Senior Partner of ‘your firm’ in Word format

Submission Date: Week 6 - Sunday 7 April 2019 - 10.00pm (AEST) but accepted during study break until Friday 19 April 2019 - 10.00pm (AEST)

Length: 4000 words.

Estimated Date of Results: Sunday 12 May 2019

Assessment Criteria:

a) Content

  • Answering the question/s asked
  • Identifying of the legal issues raised from the questions
  • Stating / explaining legal principles accurately and in appropriate detail
  • Recognising relevant facts and linking to the legal principles
  • Recognising and evaluating judicial and statutory ambiguities and ‘grey areas’
  • Originality/innovation in approach to issues
  • Clear conclusions.

b) Structure/organisation

  • Emphasis on the significant issues
  • Answer is coherent and structure logical
  • Adhering to word limit

c)  Expression

  • Effective use of structure, section headings and paragraphs
  • Clear and concise expression, interesting and engaging reader
  • Using appropriate terminology and correct grammar, syntax and spelling
  • Full and accurate footnotes together with a bibliography
  • Style according to Australian Guide to Legal Citation where appropriate.

Assessment Task 4

Value: 20 %
Due Date: 26/05/2019
Return of Assessment: 02/06/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Advice on admissibility, draft questions to expert and schedule to Subpoena (20%)

You will be required to advise succinctly on the admissibility and legitimate use of some potential evidence. You must also draft the questions to submit to a nominated expert based upon the case material previously provided. You will also be required to prepare a schedule to a Subpoena to a Third Party based upon case material provided.

Some template guidance will be provided. You may amend (by using track changes) the language of the balance of the letter and/or Subpoena if you believe other matters (formal, procedural or substantive) should be included or set out differently. The word count will relate only to the questions posed in the letter and the schedule to the subpoena. Any other changes will not form part of the word limit.

Format: Advice memo and attachments in Word format

Submission Date: Week 11 - Sunday 26 May 2019 - 10.00pm (AEST)

Length: 1600 words

Estimated Date of Results: Sunday 2 June 2019

Assessment Criteria:

a)  Content

  • Identifying of the legal issues raised from the case material
  • Stating / explaining legal principles accurately and in appropriate detail.
  • Recognising relevant facts and linking to instructions to the expert.
  • Originality/innovation in approach to issues.

b)  Structure/organisation

  • Emphasis on the significant issues
  • Questions to expert and subpoena schedule are coherent and logical
  • Adhering to word limit.

c)  Expression

  • Effective use of structure, section headings and paragraphs
  • Clear and concise expression, interesting and engaging reader
  • Using appropriate terminology and correct grammar, syntax and spelling
  • Full and accurate footnotes together with a bibliography.

Assessment Task 5

Value: 5 %
Due Date: 31/05/2019
Return of Assessment: 02/06/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 5

Reflective Discussion (5%)

During the course you will be given a couple of prompting questions to consider. There will be an online live group Reflective Discussion in Week 12 (involving 5-8 students -depending on the number of students doing the course- in each pre-arranged timeslot). For that Discussion each student must prepare and then present orally a 3 minute Reflective piece written in response to one or both of the questions posed, and then engage in a broader informal group discussion for the balance of the session, facilitated by the Course Convenor. It will probably be conducted in Adobe. Booking times will be released early in the semester. Short notes will be provided as to the Reflective Discussion procedure well before the assessment.

Format: Online discussion, based on the oral presentation of short pre-prepared Reflective piece.

Submission Date: Week 12 - between Monday 27 May 2019 (9am) and Friday 31 May 2019 (7pm) at pre-arranged times.

*Please note: the due date listed in the Assessment Summary is the final day discussions can take place

Length: 1 hour.

Estimated Date of Results: Sunday 2 June 2019

Assessment Criteria:

a)  Thinking critically about the material in the course

  • Looking at the prompting questions from different angles
  • Questioning assumptions and/or theory

b)  Expressing ideas clearly

  • So that other students and the instructor can understand them
  • Using relevant examples

c)  Engaging with other students in the discussion

  • Including encouraging others to speak
  • Responding to what others have said
  • Being respectful of a range of views and opinions

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You may be required to submit an assessment either through:

1.   Wattle dropbox and Turnitin, or

2.   Wattle dropbox only, or

3.   Turnitin only.

Please read the instruction for each assessment carefully.

Where assessments are to be submitted using Turnitin in the course Wattle site, you will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assessment.

Where assessments are to be submitted using Wattle dropbox in the course Wattle site, you will be required to electronically sign a declaration, by tick boxes, as part of the submission of your assessment. If you fail to do this, you assessment will be recorded as a draft only. This may affect its acceptance as a submitted assessment.

Please keep a copy of all your assessments for your records.

Assessments must be submitted in the format identified in the assessment instructions, for example, in accordance with relevant court or tribunal requirements; usual contract or will formats or advice format.

Research essays, reflective comments or similar documents must be submitted in 12-point font, double-spaced, formatted for A4-size paper, and with pages numbered. 

Hardcopy Submission

No hard copy submission will be accepted in this class.

Late Submission

Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

  • Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.
  • Extensions late submission and penalties - https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Your written work will receive feedback and grading via the course Wattle site under the corresponding assessment drop box. Assessment results are typically available between 1-4 weeks after the due date via the same dropbox your assessments were submitted to. The Convenor will post announcements about when you can expect your assessment results.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments


Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

Olivia Gesini
61253483
Olivia.Gesini@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Olivia has had more than 30 years’ experience in the Law. She was a founding partner of Farrar Gesini Dunn in 1995. This practice was the first boutique specialist Family Law practice in Canberra and has been, since its inception, highly regarded both locally and nationally. The firm was set up to meet the needs of clients with Family Law problems requiring a high level of specialisation and technical expertise from lawyers who specialised in the practice of Family Law.

Olivia has been prominent in the field of Family Law ever since. Until mid 2013 she practised in all areas of Family Law specialising in complex children’s matters including those dealing with mental health issues, relocation and child abduction. In the property area, she practised in all areas with a special interest in Financial Agreements, trusts and tax effective structuring of settlements. During her years of practice Olivia was variously Chair of the ACT Law Society’s Family Law Committee, a member of the Society’s Ethics Committee, a Law Society Councillor and a member of the National Collaborative Law Committee of the Law Council of Australia. She has been, and is, involved in legal education both in Canberra and nationally.

Since 2014, Olivia has been involved in teaching Family Law at the ANU at the undergraduate, Masters and Graduate diploma levels. She was primarily responsible for the design of this course and the Masters’ Family Law (Property) course.

In addition Olivia has been the Deputy Registrar of the High Court of Australia in Canberra for nearly 2 years, to which position she was appointed in May 2017. In doing so she has realised a long-held ambition to work with some of Australia’s best legal minds, observing first-hand the evolution of Australian law.

Olivia Gesini

Monday 09:00 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 17:00
Thursday 09:00 17:00
Friday 09:00 17:00
Olivia Gesini
61253483
Olivia.Gesini@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Olivia Gesini

Monday 09:00 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 17:00
Thursday 09:00 17:00
Friday 09:00 17:00

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions