A Visit from Japanese Federation of Bar Associations

On Monday 7 April, more or less at about the same time that Australia signed a free trade agreement with Japan, Meyer Partners Family Lawyers entertained a high level delegation from the Japanese Federation of Bar Associations.

The delegation was led by Professor Tomiyuki Ogawa of Kindai University Faculty of Law. The members of the delegation were undertaking research into the 2012 Family Violence Reforms that now form part of the Family Law Act, to assist them in making representations to the Japanese Government for its judicial system and to take some guidance from Australian Family Dispute Resolution procedures.

We were privileged to be addressed by the Honourable Justice Ryan of the Family Court of Australia, who addressed the nature and impact of the 2012 reforms. Her Honour is the chair of the joint Family Court and Federal Circuit Court working group on the family violence reforms, and spoke of her firsthand knowledge of the legislation, and the key components of the reforms, their impact and worth.

One of our young lawyers, Evelyn Young also spoke about the lead up to the reforms, the debates and impetus, and their purpose.

The delegation went on to have a series of other meetings in Sydney, including a visit we had arranged to a contact centre.

It was a pleasure to host these colleagues of such high standing.