Date 09 October 2020
Separating Queenslanders, whether they have been in de facto or more formal relationships can now resolve disputes using a new online tool that streamlines their separation and cuts legal bills.
National Legal Aid and Legal Aid Queensland have developed amica.gov.au to help separated couples reach amicable agreements about parenting and property with $3million in Commonwealth funding.
amica can be used by a wide range of people and offers a step-by-step approach to help separating couples reach agreements and record them in plain language on a secure digital platform.
Legal Aid Queensland’s Acting CEO, Nicky Davies, said artificial intelligence (AI) plays an important part of this online process.
“amica is suitable for separated couples who are reasonably amicable, and whose situation is not complex,” Ms Davies said.
“This program incorporates user-friendly technology to help people work out parenting arrangements that are in their children’s best interests.
“This technology was designed with input from people who have experienced everyday family law problems.
“From a more practical perspective, this technology will cut legal bills and reduce peoples’ waiting times and pressures on our courts too,” Ms Davies said.
“amica gives a couple a suggested split of their assets after its AI technology analyses their assets and circumstances, agreements commonly reached by other couples in similar situations, and how courts generally handle disputes of this nature.”
Ms Davies said while amica was not suitable for all couples and cannot replace expert advice from lawyers, it can empower many couples to better manage their separation and reduce the areas in which they disagree.
“amica’s dispute resolution feature – the part that helps people reach agreement about parenting or property – is best suited to separating couples who are willing to communicate and negotiate online,” she said.
“Anyone can use amica to get free information about family law issues at any time and until January 2021, the dispute resolution service is free.”
The site has already had about 45,000 page views. Find out more at www.amica.gov.au
Media Contact:
Caroline Page (07) 3912 0406 / 0403 182 309
Amanda Catania (07) 3917 0407 / 0413 001 039
Last updated 9 October 2020