Cage and Cage and Ors (No 2)

In the matter of *Cage and Cage and Ors (No 2)*, Justice Ryan of the Family Court of Australia considered applications and counter-applications between the father and mother concerning their children. The proceedings involved a withdrawal of certain applications by the father, including some contravention and contempt applications, while others were set for a final hearing. The court also addressed the listing of the father's amended application and the application for final orders.

The court was required to determine the future conduct of the proceedings, including which applications would proceed to hearing, the scheduling of those hearings, and the preparation required for the final hearing. A key issue was the need for an updated report from an Independent Children's Lawyer, Associate Professor Q, to address specific matters relating to the children's welfare and their relationships with their parents and grandparents. The court also had to consider the costs associated with this updated report and the attendance of the parties and children for its preparation.

Justice Ryan made several orders to manage the litigation. The father was permitted to withdraw specific applications, while others, including a contravention application and contempt applications, were listed for final hearing before Justice Flohm. The father's amended application concerning Order 1 and the application for final orders were also scheduled for hearing before Justice Flohm and Justice Watts respectively. The Independent Children's Lawyer was directed to prepare a list of issues and an agreed list of documents for trial. Crucially, Associate Professor Q was ordered to provide an updated report addressing the children's views, their relationships, the impact of potential changes in circumstances, and the parents' willingness to facilitate each other's relationship with the children, among other relevant matters. The costs of this updated report were to be shared equally by the parents, and all parties were ordered to ensure the attendance of themselves and the children as required by Associate Professor Q.