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100236
Individual Podcasts

Starting on the Right Foot: Costs Agreements in Family Law

At a very emotional point in a client’s life, the cost of legal services might be a long way from their mind. However, that is the very reason why the costs agreement needs to be clear, detailed and regularly reviewed. This session will provide a guide to family law practitioners
PRESENTED BY Kirstie Barfoot Senior Associate - De Saxe O'Neill Family Lawyers , Sydney

Date/Time

About the Podcast

At a very emotional point in a client’s life, the cost of legal services might be a long way from their mind. However, that is the very reason why the costs agreement needs to be clear, detailed and regularly reviewed. This session will provide a guide to family law practitioners on drafting best practice costs agreements, including:

  • Legislative and jurisdictional requirements for costs agreements
  • Parties to the costs agreement
  • Minimum content and the need to go beyond that
  • What information needs to be disclosed?
  • Structuring agreements for actual and potential stages in proceedings
  • Examples of conditional costs agreements
  • Describing services and plain English drafting
  • At what stage should your client be given the agreement?
  • Effective communication strategies
  • Tips for guiding your client through the agreement
  • The importance of regular review

Presented By

Kirstie Barfoot
Senior Associate, De Saxe O'Neill Family Lawyers Sydney, NSW

Kirstie Barfoot is an experienced family lawyer and adoptions lawyer who joined De Saxe O’Neill Family Lawyers in August 2022 as our Senior Associate, having previously worked for many years in the family law section of a mid-sized law firm.

Kirstie has always practiced exclusively in family law, and completed her Master of Laws (majoring in Family Law) in 2022.

Kirstie is a believer that the best approach in a family law matter varies depending on the needs of her clients, and aims to be flexible about how to meet those needs, and candid with her clients at every step throughout their matter. Kirstie strives to use alternative dispute resolution to achieve resolutions for her clients on their own terms wherever possible, but also has experience litigating complex parenting and property matters for clients who require the assistance of the Court.

Kirstie has also grown a practice in adoption matters, working with step-parents, relatives, and adults (including former foster children) to ensure that any person’s birth certificate reflects their home and their wishes.

CPD Information

0.4 CPD units

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