Atkinson and Guy and Anor

This matter came before Judge Scarlett concerning the welfare of three children, X, Y, and Z. The dispute involved orders regarding the children's time with their mother and restrictions on contact with a Mr. Wall.

The court was required to determine the appropriate interim orders for the children's time with their mother, the conditions to be attached to such time, and the necessity of independent representation for the children. Further, the court considered the prohibition of contact between the children and the Second Respondent, Mr. Wall.

In reaching its decision, the court vacated previous orders and made new interim arrangements for the mother to spend time with the children each Sunday. These arrangements were made conditional upon the mother refraining from illicit drug use for a specified period before and during contact, commencing regular urine testing under Australian/New Zealand Standards, and preventing Mr. Wall from having contact with the children. The court also ordered that the children's interests be independently represented by a lawyer appointed under section 68L of the *Family Law Act 1975*, with Legal Aid NSW requested to arrange this representation. The parties were directed to provide relevant documents to the appointed Independent Children’s Lawyer, who was granted leave to issue subpoenas without charge. The application was adjourned for further mention.