Dardelwill and Brent

The case of *Dardelwill and Brent* concerned an application filed by the mother on 30 December 2009, which came before Justice Cronin. The proceedings involved interim issues relating to the welfare of a child, with the father seeking to respond to the mother's application and both parties seeking to adduce evidence from Victoria Police and the Department of Human Services.

The central legal issues before the court were the interim arrangements for the child, including the need for random drug testing of the mother, and the admissibility and procurement of evidence from various parties, including police officers and a representative from the Department of Human Services. The court also had to consider the procedural steps necessary to ensure all relevant evidence could be presented for the interim hearing.

Justice Cronin made several orders to facilitate the resolution of the interim issues. These included adjourning the mother's application for a short hearing on interim matters, granting the father leave to file and serve his response and supporting affidavit, and authorising the Independent Children’s Lawyer to contact the mother directly to seek random drug testing. The court also granted leave for the father to issue subpoenas to Victoria Police regarding observations of the mother, and for the mother to issue a subpoena to Sergeant F if willing to give evidence. Furthermore, the Registrar was directed to issue and arrange service by facsimile of subpoenas for Senior Detective L, Ms U of the Department of Human Services, and Leading Constable S to give evidence by telephone at the interim hearing. Reasons for these orders were to be prepared and made available to the parties.