What is a directions hearing and how should I prepare for it?

Anneka joined Stacks Law Firm in Tamworth in 2013 and is now the director of the firm. Anneka’s main areas of practice are family law and commercial litigation. She also oversees wills, probate and conveyancing in the firm. With her general litigation matters, Anneka works with clients who have a complaint and wish to have their complaint or dispute resolved. She uses her negotiation and communication skills to ensure that clients are clear about possible outcomes, resulting in more amicable and cost-effective results for all parties. Anneka has assisted clients with damages disputes in a range of jurisdictions, including the property division of the Supreme Court, the Probate division, the District Court, the NCAT, as well as generally in the Local Court, Supreme Court and Federal Court. Anneka is experienced in managing complex litigation defences, cross claims and interlocutory applications and motions. As a realist and a people person, Anneka is able to see the real-life practicality of her clients’ legal problems. She establishes a great rapport with her clients, communicating in a friendly and compassionate manner and ensuring they have a good understanding of the legal process. Anneka has studied extensively to deepen her knowledge of her practice areas. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from the University of New England, a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law and a Master in Applied Law majoring in Commercial Litigation. She has also completed the College of Law’s Legal Practice Management Course. Anneka plans to complete a specialist accreditation in Commercial Litigation in the near future. Anneka’s commitment to her clients, profession, community and studies have been recognised in recent years. She was selected for the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards as a finalist in the “Young Gun” category in 2017, as well as the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards, where she was a finalist in the family law category in 2018. And in 2019, she was a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly, Women in Law Awards as “Senior Associate of the Year – SME”. Stacks Law Firm Tamworth was also nominated as a finalist in the Tamworth Business Chamber Awards for Excellence in Small Business. A strong believer in contributing to her local community, Anneka is a member of the Tamworth Business Chamber, the Tamworth Family Law Pathways Network, the Law Society of NSW and Tamworth Lawyers Inc, as well as the North and North West Law Society. She recently teamed up with another local young lawyer to raise charity funds for local causes by selling donated used clothing. Anneka is also the Social Media Officer for the Tamworth Junior Chamber board. Anneka actively mentors the firm’s younger lawyers, and is a volunteer mentor with the Mentor Institute and for the University of New England. Having grown up in the coastal town of Nambucca Heads, Anneka is a beach person at heart, so it’s the one thing she misses in Tamworth. Outside of work, Anneka enjoys spending time with her family, in particular her young daughter.