Sydney Federal Circuit and Family Court

The Sydney Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is located in the Lionel Bowen Building at 97-99 Goulburn Street, Sydney. It is on the corner of Castlereagh Street and Goulburn Street, diagonally opposite the James Maddison Tower building which houses part of the Sydney District Court and on the same block as the Downing Centre.

The building is named after the Attorney General and former deputy Prime Minister, Lionel Bowen. Lionel Bowen was Attorney General under the Whitlam Government from 1972-1975, during the key years of the passing of the Family Law Act 1975, which is the primary piece of legislation implemented in these courts.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia deals with family law matters such as parenting issues, property settlement matters and spousal maintenance issues.

If you have a matter at the Sydney Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, you should allow plenty of time to travel to court and plenty of time to pass through security on the ground floor. You should not carry anything that you would not be permitted to take on a plane. You should be neatly dressed in at least smart business casual attire, as though you are attending a job interview. On days where many matters are listed at once, there may be a queue for the lifts.

The court list is displayed on the ground floor and matters are listed according to the court they are to be heard in and the relevant judicial officer. The list will inform you which court you are in and what level it is located on if you do not already have this information from the Court’s Portal. Each level of the court has some meeting rooms to allow you and your lawyer to privately discuss matters. Alternatively, the reception staff will be able to direct you to the correct level.

The court is located within walking distance of the Museum, Town Hall and Central train stations. Parking is available in the Goulburn Street car park, directly across from the courts. Many buses stop nearby, and the light rail service along George Street is within walking distance, being directly above Town Hall Train Station, or the light rail at Haymarket and Central areas.