Fact Sheets
Our fact sheets will provide you with a brief overview of some of the legal matters that we regularly deal with.
Click through the link to view a pdf copy of each fact sheet, and use your internet browser to save or print a copy. If you would like more information or legal advice about any legal issue, not just the ones listed here, please give our telephone advice line a call.
Birth Certificates
The birth of a baby must be registered within 60 days, but there is also opportunity to add details later if you need to.
Where possible, both parents need to sign a Birth Registration Statement for a child, which is then used to produce the child's Birth Certificate. This fact sheet provides information about registering a child's birth, getting a copy of the Birth Certificate, and also provides details about adding information to a Birth Certificate at a later date.
Caring Relationships
Whilst you can be a carer in any type of relationship, a 'caring relationship' has a specific meaning at law.
Information about what a caring relationship is, and the benefits of registering your caring relationship with the Tasmanian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Children and Family Law
Understanding the legal terms used in Family Law regarding parenting children after separation.
This fact sheet will provide you with information about making parenting arrangements for your children after separation. It defines the legal terms used in Family Law, and what is taken into account when parenting orders are made by the Court.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Sheet
The coronavirus is creating new challenges for everyone.
We have put together some information regarding the pandemic's impact on parenting arrangements, family violence, and employment.
Cultural and Spiritual Abuse
Cultural and spiritual abuse is a type of emotional abuse.
This is often seen as a pattern of behaviour over a period of time. Our fact sheet defines what this type of abuse is, and gives some examples.
Damage to Property and Threatening Behaviour
Damaging a person's property and threatening behaviours are types of family violence.
This fact sheet gives some information and some examples of what damage to property and threatening behaviour looks like.
Defacto Property Settlements
A defacto relationship is where two adults who are not married or related by family have a relationship as a couple living together in a domestic basis.
If a defacto relationship breaks down, property that was bought during the relationship or with funds acquired during the relationship may need to be divided. This fact sheet can help you with information regarding the way that defacto property settlements are carried out, and how to get assistance.
Defamation
Defamation and the law - what you need to know before speaking out.
Recently we have seen examples of courageous women coming forward to speak about their experience, but the law does not always support your voice in speaking out about your experience. It is important that you know about some of these legal barriers so that you can speak up safely.
Divorce
Divorce is the process of legally ending a marriage.
Divorce is separate from property settlement, parenting orders and child support/maintenance.
Emotional Abuse and Coercive Control
Emotional abuse is a type of family violence.
This fact sheet provides some information and examples of what emotional abuse and coercive control can look like.
Family Violence and Family Violence Orders
Family violence occurs when one partner in an existing, or former, relationship tries to dominate or control the other.
Family violence is not always represented as physical violence. This fact sheet will provide more information about types of violence covered under the term family violence, how Tasmanian law protects those experiencing or at risk of experiencing family violence, as well as information about Family Violence Orders (FVO) and Police Family Violence Orders (PFVO).
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is a type of family violence.
Financial abuse can take many forms, but the intent behind the behaviour is to limit the other party's ability to access financial resources in order to have power over them. Financial abuse is sometimes also called economic abuse.
Financial Counselling
What is financial counselling and how can it help?
Financial Counsellors are qualified professionals who provide information, advice and advocacy to people in financial difficulty.
Matrimonial Property Settlements
A matrimonial property settlement is the division of property arising out of a marriage.
This fact sheet provides information about how property can be divided when a marriage breaks down, and the factors that are taken into account during a matrimonial property settlement.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is dealt with in the Family Violence Act, the Polices Offences Act and the Criminal Code Act in Tasmania.
Our fact sheet provides some information about the definition of what physical abuse is, and some examples of what it can look like.
Reproductive Coercion
Reproductive coercion (also known as reproductive abuse) is behaviour that restricts a person's choices about their reproductive health.
Reproductive coercion is a deliberate abuse of power - behaviours used by a person to control someone by limiting their choices about sex and sexual health, pregnancy, and termination.
Restraint Orders
A restraint order is a court order that can restrict contact between people, or which can impose conditions on their behaviour.
A restraint order can provide legal protection from violence, including physical or sexual abuse, psychological abuse, damage to property or stalking. This fact sheet provides practical information about how orders are applied for, and information about the types of ways an order can protect the applicant.
Safety Planning
If you are planning to leave an abusive relationship it is important to plan ahead to make leaving easier and safer.
A person who uses violence, controlling behaviours or physical abuse may become more controlling, dangerous or abusive when they think you might be planning to leave.
Seeing a Solicitor for the First Time
It's not unusual to feel nervous about going to see a solicitor for the first time.
Many people know when they need a solicitor, however they may not be sure what their exact legal problem is. There are a few things you can think about before you make an appointment to help you prepare, including which type of solicitor or legal service you need to see.
Separation
Separating from your partner involves many changes and important decisions.
This fact sheet briefly outlines some of the matters that may arise after separation.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is when a person is forced or pressured into performing sexual acts or activities that they do not want to, or do not consent to.
This fact sheet defines what sexual abuse is, and gives some examples of what sexual abuse can look like.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is against the law. If you are experiencing sexual harassment, there are options available to you.
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual behaviour that results in you feeling offended, humiliated, intimidated, insulted or ridiculed in circumstances where a reasonable person would feel that way.
Sexual Harassment at Work
Sexual harassment is against the law. Sexual harassment at work is a form of gender-based violence, affecting the livelihoods and health of women across Australia.
Sexual harassment at work is unwanted sexual behaviour where the victim feels offended, intimidated or humiliated, and it reasonable under the circumstances that they should feel that way.
Sexual harassment at work is nothing to do with mutual attraction or friendship. If there is consent, it is not sexual harassment.
Stalking and Technological Abuse
Stalking and technological abuse is a type of family violence.
This fact sheet defines what stalking is in the law, and gives some examples of what stalking and technological abuse can look like.
Unfair Dismissal
What are the steps to take if you believe that you have been dismissed from your employment for reasons that are harsh, unjust or unreasonable?
This fact sheet provides information about what unfair dismissal is, and information about the process of applying for an unfair dismissal claim.
Wills, Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship
An overview of these important documents, and definitions of terminology used.
Major life events like having children or buying property may prompt you to think about making a Will. When thinking about preparing these documents it's important to know the definitions of the unique terminology used in them.
Victims of Crime Assistance in Tasmania
Those who have suffered a physical or psychological injury as a result of a violent crime may be eligible for compensation.
This fact sheet provides information about who can apply for Victims of Crime Compensation, and the process involved in doing so.