Federal Court of Australia: Modernising Justice Through Reform and Landmark Rulings

Modernising Australia’s Federal Justice System

The Federal Court of Australia continues its mission of deciding disputes according to law while contributing to the economic and social wellbeing of all Australians. The court has undergone significant changes in 2025, marking a new era in federal justice administration.

Major Legal Reforms and Developments

In a landmark development, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has implemented innovative reforms, with the most notable being the new General Federal Law Rules that commenced on 1 September 2025. These rules now serve as the single set of court rules applicable across all general federal law and migration proceedings.

Recent Significant Cases

Among the notable recent cases, the Court has handled significant corporations law matters, including the McCorkell & Associates liquidation case, where the Court approved crucial amendments to funding agreements and dealt with sensitive suppression orders.

In a landmark representative proceeding, the Court granted an important extension in The Owners – Strata Plan 872321 v 3A Composites GmbH case on September 10, 2025, demonstrating its flexible approach to ensuring justice in complex group litigation.

Technological Integration and Future Planning

The Court has embraced technological advancement, with recent developments including discussions on the implementation of AI and blockchain technology in insurance litigation. Looking ahead, the Court has already set term dates for 2026, with sittings in the original jurisdiction scheduled to commence on Monday, 2 February and end on Friday, 18 December.

Commitment to Transparency and Accessibility

The Court maintains its commitment to transparent justice, with judgments thoroughly documenting decisions through statements of facts, analysis of relevant law, and application to specific cases. While judgments may be delivered either orally or in writing, the complexity of matters typically necessitates written decisions. The Court maintains a policy of aiming to deliver judgments within three months after trial completion, though this isn’t always possible given case complexity.