Hi, I'm Bruce.

 

I’m a father of four children living in Adelaide, South Australia.

 

I have been fighting in our courts dealing with false allegations which are preventing my hard-won access to my children. I have appeared at 84 hearings so far and am now hopeful of a full hearing in the High Court.

 

The aim is to challenge whether the current operation of our domestic violence laws is constitutional, given that State based intervention orders (DVRO, etc) typically granted in Magistrates courts can be used to override parenting orders in the Family Court, despite the fact that the Federal Courts should take precedence. This conflict between State and Federal jurisdictions is one of the reasons we have the High Court.

 

There are many other concerns about the way police and Magistrates courts are acting, which require proper scrutiny by the High Court. There are issues involved in this matter which effect all Australians. These issues include human rights such as the ability to live freely without arbitrary arrest and to be dealt with fairly in the judicial system.

 

The huge demands of my five-year legal battle have left me unemployed and struggling to support myself. Even though I am self-representing, I face various legal costs to make this important case happen.

 

If you can support this effort, thank you. It’s been incredibly tough having to walk away from my professional role to learn enough law to win through to this point, without my beloved children and without family support. But I believe that if this case moves forward to a full hearing in the High Court, it won’t just help me. It could help protect children, parents, and families across our community.