Section 176 — Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021: Interrogatories and discovery

(1) Interrogatories and discovery are allowed in relation to family law and child support proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2). (2) However, interrogatories and discovery are not allowed in relation to any other proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), unless the Court or a Judge declares that it is appropriate, in the interests of the administration of justice, to allow the interrogatories or discovery. (3) In deciding whether to make a declaration under subsection (2), the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) or a Judge must have regard to: (a) whether allowing the interrogatories or discovery would be likely to contribute to the fair and expeditious conduct of the proceedings; and (b) such other matters (if any) as the Court or the Judge considers relevant.