BENTLEIGH & MURDOCH

The proceedings involved a dispute between Bentleigh and Murdoch, heard by Hannam J in the Family Court of Australia. The core of the matter concerned the welfare of children, as indicated by the court's request for intervention by the Secretary of the NSW Department of Family and Community Services.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the Secretary of the NSW Department of Family and Community Services should be permitted to intervene in the proceedings. This intervention was sought to address areas of concern relating to the children, necessitating the court's consideration of the relevant provisions of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) and the *Family Law Rules 2004* (Cth).

Hannam J ordered that the Secretary of the NSW Department of Family and Community Services be requested to intervene in the proceedings pursuant to section 91B of the *Family Law Act 1975*. If the Secretary chose to intervene, they were to file and serve a Notice of Intervention by 4 September 2015. Furthermore, leave was granted to the Secretary, or their delegate, to inspect and copy any documents on the Court file under Rule 24.13 of the *Family Law Rules 2004*. The court also noted that Apprehended Violence Order proceedings between the parties were listed for 4 September 2015, and requested that court records from those proceedings be obtained to assist in the current matter. A short judgment would be delivered in Chambers to the parties and the Department regarding the areas of concern.