2026 Family Law Advocacy Workshop
FLAW 2026 - Cross-Examining the Single Expert Witness in Parenting Disputes
● Pre-course Seminar: Thursday 9 July 2026 ● Intensive: Fri 17 – Sat 18 July 2026
The Piddington Society and the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of WA are proud to present specialist advocacy training workshop for family lawyers, delivered over 2 intensive days and 1 evening seminar.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM - Practical courtroom advocacy for family lawyers
This year's workshop focuses on the preparation and conduct of cross-examination of the single expert witness family report writer. Single expert evidence frequently sits at the centre of parenting disputes, and this program is designed to bridge the gap between knowing the law and preparing for courtroom advocacy.
Across two days, participants complete two structured cross-examination exercises in working courtrooms, with immediate feedback from experienced practitioners and judicial officers. Designed for junior and emerging advocates, the Family Law Advocacy Workshop offers a unique opportunity to build courtroom confidence and skills under the guidance of experienced advocates and judicial officers.
Led by Rachel Oakeley (John Toohey Chambers), the workshop follows a four-step framework: Hear, See, Do, Reflect.
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Hear foundational advocacy principles.
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See advocacy in action and review techniques.
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Do your own advocacy exercises with expert coaching.
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Reflect on your experience and receive feedback.
Confirmed coaches include:
- The Hon. Justice Robin Cohen.
- Acting Magistrate Max Beckerling
- Annette Andrews
- Teresa Farmer SC
- Clinton Russell SC
- Michael Rynne SC
- Alex Mossop SC
- Heather Milar SC
- Henry Moser
- Adam Ebell
- Stephen Cohen, Clinical Psychologist
- Dr Helen Buckland Wright, Clinical & Forensic Psychologist
More coaches to be announced in due course.
Places are strictly limited – early registration is strongly recommended.
Attendees may claim up to eight CPD points.
What's included in your registration -
- Thursday 9 July 5.30pm - 6.30pm:
Pre-Course Twilight Workshop
Hosted at O'Sullivan Davies Lawyers (21/197 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000)
- Friday 17 July 9.00am - 5.00pm:
Intensive Day 1
Hosted at the District Court
- 18 July 9.30 - 1.30pm :
Intensive Day 2
Hosted at the Family Court
Note: Practitioner ID numbers are issued by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia. Information from the Board is available here. We require these to issue CPD certificates. If you do not want CPD points, please put '0000' in the box on the booking form.
For cancellation and refund details, please see our Cancellation and Refund Policy.
Like all Piddington events, your attendance, engagement and support goes toward supporting funding Piddington's access to justice projects. These are: the Piddington PLT Fund, which supports the community legal centres (CLCs) that host Piddington PLT graduates to complete their hours required for admission; the Piddington Justice Fund for CLCs, to cover costs that they otherwise cannot meet; and, Kaartdijin, our First Nations Legal Education Fund. We also fund the Christine Wheeler PLT Scholarship and John Chaney Award for new law graduates and law students.
This program is delivered by The Piddington Society, an accredited CPD Provider approved by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia. CPD schemes in other Australian jurisdictions do not accredit or pre-approve providers or courses. As a result, practitioners outside Western Australia must self-assess this activity against the CPD rules in their home jurisdiction and determine whether it meets their professional development obligations. Certificates of completion are issued to assist with record-keeping, but the final decision as to compliance rests with the individual practitioner and their local regulator. Participants should also note that some jurisdictions impose caps on certain delivery modes (e.g. South Australia limits 5 units per CPD year for web-based/recorded programs).
Location
Please see registration table above
Contact Details