Ahsan and Ahsan

In the matter of *Ahsan and Ahsan*, heard by Hannam J, the dispute concerned interim orders relating to the welfare and contact arrangements for the parties' children. The mother sought orders permitting her to take the children, and the father sought to suspend his time with the children.

The court was required to determine whether to suspend the father's time with the children until a further hearing, and to make interim orders regarding the children's immediate care and the father's limited contact. The court also considered the need for independent representation for the children and the practical arrangements for the handover of the children's belongings.

Hannam J made orders by consent regarding the handover of the children's possessions and limited the father's telephone contact with the children. Crucially, the court ordered the suspension of the father's time with the children until 18 July 2016, declining a request to suspend contact until 24 June 2016. The court also ordered that the children's interests be independently represented by a lawyer, requesting the Legal Aid Commission of New South Wales to make urgent arrangements for this. The proceedings were listed for an interim hearing on 18 July 2016, with directions for the filing of affidavits. The father was ordered to leave the court precincts immediately.