Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS)

Duty Lawyer Service and Social Support Service

The Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS), located at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, provides duty lawyer and social support services to people with family law matters who have been affected by family violence. The Legal Services Commission SA also has duty lawyers at the Court who are able to assist in matters where the person is not affected by family violence. 

Duty lawyers can:

• provide family law advice about your Court hearing and/or legal problem
• help with adjournments – generally limited to adjournments of the first court appearance
• help with legal aid applications
• provide referrals to private practitioners and other services
• provide advice about family issues to respondents in the family violence lists

Duty lawyers cannot:

• prepare complex court documents, e.g. applications/responses and affidavits
• represent you for interim hearings, contravention applications and final hearings (trials)

Social support workers (including a family social worker, a men's worker and a mental health worker) can help you engage with the family law processes safely and help you with safety planning. The social workers also provide social support services to respondents in the family violence lists who also have family law issues.

The social support workers can connect with all the relevant services that you need, such as accommodation, financial counselling, and other social support.

The duty lawyers and social support workers are located at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, 3 Angas Street, Adelaide each day with the reception located on the ground floor.

No appointment is required but priority is given to clients who have a hearing listed in Court that day. Please do not bring children to your appointment.

To contact FASS telephone: (08) 8111 5300  or email: family.dutylawyer@lsc.sa.gov.au

FASS is funded by the Australian Government.

A FASS flyer is available.