Farquar and Farquar (No. 5)

In *Farquar and Farquar (No. 5)*, Strickland J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application by the father for an adjournment of proceedings. The dispute concerned family law matters, and the father sought to adjourn the trial part heard due to his ill health.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether to grant the father's application for an adjournment of the ongoing trial. This required the court to balance the father's right to present his case with the need for the efficient and timely resolution of family law disputes, and to consider the impact of any adjournment on the mother and the Independent Children's Lawyer.

Strickland J reasoned that while the father's health was a significant factor, the court needed further information to properly assess the situation and determine the appropriate course of action. The judge therefore ordered that the trial be adjourned to a directions hearing, at which time the father was required to file and serve a medical report detailing his current health. The question of costs for the mother and the Independent Children's Lawyer was reserved for that adjourned hearing.