JOE CAVANAGH
Date of Admission
2020
Joined the Bar
2025
Areas of practice
Joe Cavanagh holds a Bachelor of Laws (2019) and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English and History (2018), both from the University of Adelaide. He completed a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice in 2020 and was admitted to practice in the same year. Joe commenced practice in Adelaide in Family Law and Wills and Estates, and moved to Darwin in January 2022.
Prior to being called to the Bar, Joe Cavanagh practised exclusively in family law, including as a senior associate in a specialist private family law firm in the Northern Territory. His practice has included complex parenting and property matters, as well as family violence proceedings.
Joe has appeared as advocate in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, Local Court of the Northern Territory and NTCAT. Joe is also well versed in dispute resolution and accepts briefs to appear at dispute resolution events.
He accepts briefs in the following areas:
- Parenting and property proceedings under the Family Law Act (including acting as an Independent Children’s Lawyer, acting for legally aided clients, and acting as an independent cross-examiner under section 102NA);
- Domestic Violence Order and Personal Violence Order proceedings;
- Care and protection matters;
- General civil litigation;
- Advice and Opinion work.
Joe has, since being called to the Bar, appeared in a number of Appeals, and Division 1 and 2 of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia matters, of which citations are included below:
a. Aberg & Nurimen (No 2) [2026] FedCFamC1F 159 – Decision of McNab J regarding primary care to the Father and ability to relocate the children’s residence – Appeared for the Father;
b. Adad & Adad (No 3) [2026] FedCFamC2F 484 – Decision of Liveris J for sole decision making to Mother and no time other than in accordance with views and wishes – Appeared for the Mother;
c. Adad & Adad [2026] FedCFamC1A 20 – Decision of Austin J on appeal – Leave to Appeal refused and Appeal dismissed – Appeared for Respondent;
d. Adad & Adad (No 2) [2026] FedCFamC1A 135 – Decision of Christie J on appeal – Appeal dismissed – Appeared for Respondent;
e. Osmund & Mullens [2025] FedCFamC2F 1504 – Decision of Liveris J for change of residence of a child and moratorium of time between the child and the Father – Appeared for the Mother.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws – 2019
Bachelor of Arts (English and History) – 2018
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice – 2020
