Delvan and Hoogley

The proceedings before Murphy J involved a dispute between a mother and a father concerning parenting orders for their children. The mother initiated the proceedings with an application filed on 22 October 2008, which was later amended on 4 March 2009. The father responded to these applications on 21 November 2008 and 30 March 2009.

The central legal issues before the court were whether the applications and responses filed by the parties should be struck out, and whether all extant applications should be dismissed. The court also considered the future ability of the parents to file further applications for parenting orders and the role of the Independent Children's Lawyer.

Murphy J ordered that the applications and responses filed by both the mother and father be struck out. Furthermore, all existing applications were dismissed and removed from the court's list. The Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged. Crucially, the court imposed a condition that any future application for parenting orders by either parent concerning the children would require prior leave of the court, supported by an affidavit detailing the reasons for the application. The Independent Children's Lawyer was also directed to provide copies of the orders and reasons for judgment to the parties and the Department of Communities (Child Safety Services), subject to any authorisations under section 121(9)(g) of the *Family Law Act 1975*.