Courts merger plan goes to parliament

More than 8000 extra family legal matters are expected to be finalised each year under court merger plans introduced to federal parliament.

Cabinet Minister Kelly O'Dwyer said merging the Federal and Family Courts would help bring relief to Australians faced with expensive and lengthy legal proceedings.

"The reforms ... will ensure family law disputes are resolved as quickly, inexpensively and efficiently as possible," Ms O'Dwyer told the lower house on Thursday.

The new court structure would see an additional 3500 family law cases be finalised each year, she added.

With 90 per cent of the Federal Circuit Court's caseload currently consisting of family law matters, the new Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia would provide a single entry point.

Attorney-General Christian Porter says merging the courts will speed up complex trials, cut the backlog of unresolved cases, and reduce prolonged and acrimonious family disputes.

"This is most important for children of relationships which have broken down," he said in a statement.

From January the new court would be split into two divisions under the leadership of one chief justice.

Division one will be a continuation of the Family Court, while division two will be a continuation of the Federal Circuit Court.