Section 70NAA — Family Law Act 1975: Simplified outline

This Division sets out orders that a court may make if an issue arises in the proceedings about whether a person (the respondent) has contravened a child-related order. The court may, at any stage of proceedings (and without having to make a finding about the contravention), make any of the following orders: (a) a make-up time parenting order; (b) an order varying or suspending a parenting order; (c) an order requiring the respondent and any other party to the proceedings to attend a post-separation parenting program. If the court finds on the balance of probabilities that the respondent contravened the child-related order without having a reasonable excuse, the court may make any of the following orders (having regard to the seriousness of the contravention): (a) an order requiring the respondent to enter into a bond; (b) an order imposing a fine on the respondent for failing to enter into a bond. If the court is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the respondent contravened the child-related order without having a reasonable excuse, the court may also make any of the following orders (having regard to the seriousness of the contravention): (a) an order imposing a fine on the respondent; (b) an order imposing a sentence of imprisonment on the respondent. This Division also sets out ancillary matters relating to terms of imprisonment, the enforcement of bonds and other miscellaneous matters. Note: A court may also award costs against a party under section 117 if satisfied there are circumstances that justify it doing so.