Watts McCray Lawyers Present Paper on Children with Gender Dysphoria

Watts McCray Lawyers’ Special Counsel Maurice Edwards presented a paper entitled “Children with Gender Dysphoria – The Journey from Marion to Matthew” at the 2018 Specialist Legal Conference hosted by The College of Law on Friday May 18th.

The conference is designed to enable experienced practitioners to keep up to date with the latest legal developments. Maurice presented alongside Brian Knox SC and The Honourable John Faulks, Former Deputy Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia and current part-time ALRC Commissioner. Maurice’s paper focused on the diminishing involvement of the Family Court of Australia in decisions relating to the treatment of children suffering from gender dysphoria in circumstances where the child, the parents and the treating medical practitioners all agree.

In March the Family Court ruled it will no longer intervene in cases where children with gender dysphoria have the permission of their parents and treating doctors to undergo surgery. It also means parents who agree with the treatment will not be subject to the expense, stress and possible delay of going to court. Children in state care and those whose parents object to their hormone treatment will still have to go to court.

Maurice is an Accredited Family Law Specialist, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP), Mediator, and trained Arbitrator. Maurice appeared on the SBS Insight program about transgender issues a few years ago when there were previous significant legal developments in the area of gender dysphoria in children. He has over 30 years legal experience in assisting clients to resolve their family law issues, in both complex financial, and parenting matters.

Maurice’s experience in a wide variety of legal areas over many years has assisted his understanding of the everyday problems confronting clients, particularly when they are also facing the additional pressures of family law issues.

Maurice’s training as a Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, coupled with his ability to listen, enables Maurice to analyse and recommend appropriate and practical solutions to clients. In his practise of law, Maurice strives to ensure that his calm and easy going manner assists clients in easing their anxiety as they face significant changes and challenges in their personal and working lives.

For more information on the services offered, divorce lawyer, family law solicitors, child support and more, visit www.wattsmccray.com.au