Almost 70 per cent of family disputes referred to mediation involving children are being settled out of court.

This figure comes a year after the government introduced family justice reforms.

An increasing number of parents are choosing to settle things outside of court.

The reforms, which have been in effect for exactly one year today, place out-of-court community-based resolution services at the heart of the system to resolve family disputes about the care of children.

Justice Minister Amy Adams says the reforms have delivered a modern, accessible family justice system that encourages parents to reach out-of-court agreements about arrangements for the care of their children.

The suite of reforms was the biggest overhaul since the Family Court was established in 1981.

'The new system is reducing the stress experienced by families and children, by avoiding the delays, conflict and expense that court proceedings entail through greater use of out-of-court mediation,” says Amy.

The centrepiece of the reforms is the new Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) service where, working with mediators, parents sort out disputes about the care of their children.

'FDR is proving highly successful,” adds Amy, 'and of the 905 disputes referred to FDR in the last year, 68 per cent of mediations resolved all matters, and a further 18 per cent resolved some matters.

'Almost seven out of ten disputes referred to mediation are being resolved without having to go to court, which is reducing the inevitable stress children and families face when their parents separate.

'It also means the Family Court can now focus on the most difficult cases, especially those involving family violence, that require judicial expertise.”

Amy says there is a strong focus on family violence.

'With these reforms bedding in, family violence remains a priority area,” she explains. 'The reforms have refocused the system and mean we're now able to concentrate on the more difficult matters.”

The reforms relate to Care of Children Act matters, which account for about 40 per cent of Family Court applications.

While most cases are now initially referred to FDR, urgent matters (e.g. disputes that involve domestic violence or abuse) continue to go straight to the Family Court, where all parties are entitled to legal representation and, if eligible, legal aid.

Fewer applications are being filed in the court since the reforms were implemented. The number of active applications on hand at 31 January 2015, since 31 March 2014, has reduced by 12 per cent.