Photo: Dr Juliet Behrens. Photo credit: ACT Bar Association.
Your work on the relevance of domestic and family violence to parenting and family disputes has been described as pioneering and groundbreaking.
A nationally-recognised expert in family law, Dr Juliet Behrens has been appointed to Division 1 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Juliet commenced this role on 5 August 2024.
Juliet is the second person from the ACT Bar to be appointed to Division 1’s Sydney registry in recent years, after Rebecca Curran.
Juliet worked at the ANU College of Law for almost twenty years between 1991 and 2010.
Well regarded as a teacher and scholar amongst her peers, Juliet progressed the scholarship of family law through her teaching and research.
She co-wrote the early editions of the influential AustralianFamily Law in Context, a text which shifted the paradigm on how people learn about and research family law.
Over the course of her academic career, Juliet made several significant contributions to our understanding of family law in Australia, including domestic and family violence.
“Your work on the relevance of domestic and family violence to parenting and family disputes has been described as pioneering and groundbreaking,” said the Honourable Mark Dreyfus KC MP, Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia at her swearing-in ceremony.
Growing up is Tasmania, Juliet graduated from the University of Tasmania in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours), going on to complete a Doctor of Philosophy in environmental law in 1991.
However, she changed her speciality to family law after being recruited to ANU and working with Emeritus Professor Stephen Parker.
Professor James Stellios, head of the ANU Law School (and a former student of Juliet’s), commented how she created a relaxed and encouraging space for her students as they were learning family law.
At the ANU College of Law, Juliet was also appointed Sub-Dean of the law faculty, a role which acted as a conduit between students and the Dean’s office. Her considerable contributions in teaching, research and mentoring led to her promotion as Associate Professor.
Emeritus Professor Peta Spender recalls Juliet’s strong sense of justice and care for her students, colleagues and friends.
“Juliet is someone who speaks out about things that matter. She is impressively focussed, highly organised but always compassionate.”
When Juliet departed ANU in 2010 to practice law as a solicitor and later as a barrister, she left behind a remarkable legacy at the ANU College of Law.
“Juliet was a fundamental part of the development and reputation of the ANU College of Law.”
We wish Juliet all the very best on her recent appointment.