Kristen Wylie

Awarded for service to community, advocacy and inclusion; education; government and public services; human rights; prevention of family violence

Born: 3 April 1971

Entered on roll: 2023

"Giving children a voice during parental disputes"

Lawyer Kristen Wylie advocates in court and in state and national forums for the rights and safety of women and children.

While working in private practice in the 1990s, Kristen developed an interest in helping women and children affected by family violence, and helped women at Jireh House and the Hobart Women’s Shelter get protective orders, as well as delivering legal education to shelter staff and residents.

In 2001, Kristen joined the Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania (TLA) as Southern Family Law Practice Manager. In 2004, she was appointed State Manager of the TLA Family Practice, now known as Associate Director Family Law. In October 2022 Kristen was appointed as Acting Director of TLA.

In 2001, Kristen was appointed to the Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) Panel and Separate Representative panels and has been the National Legal Aid Family Law Working Group Tasmanian representative since 2004.

One of Kristen’s significant contributions is the first Independent Children’s Lawyers Practice Standards and Guidelines which was launched in 2022. It is a child-focused, trauma-informed approach to undertaking important work of the ICL, and ensures the voice of the child is heard in proceedings about them.

In 2017, Kristen established the Family Advocacy and Support Service in Tasmania helping people affected by family violence. This free service integrates duty lawyers and social workers to address a person’s legal problem alongside its underlying causes

In 2019, Kristen jointly developed and rolled out the Family Violence and Cross Examination Scheme, which protects victims of family violence by banning personal cross- examination by their perpetrator in family law proceedings.

In 2020, Kristen was responsible for the Tasmanian launch of the online dispute resolution tool, amica, developed by National Legal Aid. Amica is a simple, affordable and quick way for couples to agree on parenting, property and financial issues.

In 2022, Kristen was awarded the Tasmanian Women Lawyers Achievement Award.

In 2023, Kristen was awarded the Law Society of Tasmania President’s Award for her outstanding contribution to the legal profession.