Vivian Galanis, Managing Principal Solicitor at Wallumatta Legal, talks to The Guardian about perjury before the family court and why it's hard to say how often it actually happens.
Perjury cases are rare in Australian family law courts, despite widespread concerns about dishonesty—particularly in cases involving financial abuse or coercive control. Experts and lawyers say false claims, selective disclosure, and forged documents often go unchallenged due to the cost and difficulty of proving lies, especially for women escaping abusive relationships.
While courts can penalise dishonest parties financially, formal referrals for perjury are seldom made, and prosecutions are even rarer. A recent case where a man was jailed for fabricating evidence highlights the potential impact of enforcement, but experts argue that more consistent action is needed to deter misuse of the legal system and protect vulnerable litigants in family law in Australia and that courts need to be better at cracking down on lying.