Canvil and Merle and Ors

In the matter of *Canvil and Merle and Ors*, Hogan J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia was required to determine an application concerning the joinder of parties to existing proceedings. The applicant husband sought to join Mr E Canvil and Ms G Canvil as second respondents to the proceedings.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether Mr E Canvil and Ms G Canvil should be joined as parties to the proceedings. This involved considering the appropriate procedural steps for joining parties and the effect of such joinder on the conduct of the litigation.

Hogan J ordered that Mr E Canvil and Ms G Canvil be joined as Second Respondents to the proceedings. The Court further directed that upon receipt of the Order, the Applicant Husband was to provide a copy to Mr E Canvil and Ms G Canvil forthwith, and this provision was deemed to constitute valid service of the Order upon them.