Finney and Connell

In the Family Court of Australia, Judge Harland presided over proceedings involving Finney and Connell concerning parenting arrangements for their children, X and Y. The dispute centred on the children's welfare and the specific orders to be made regarding their care and representation.

The court was required to determine the necessity and terms of independent representation for the children, X and Y. It also needed to consider variations to existing consent orders concerning supervised time and the practical steps required to facilitate the children's independent representation and the implementation of supervised contact.

Judge Harland ordered that the children X and Y be independently represented pursuant to s.68L(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975*. The court requested Victoria Legal Aid to arrange this representation and set out detailed requirements for the independent children's lawyer, including filing a notice of address for service, obtaining relevant documents from the parents' solicitors, adhering to published guidelines, and preparing recommended final orders. The independent children's lawyer was also directed to liaise with the Department of Health and Human Services. Further, the court varied a previous consent order to allow for supervised time by Ms R, subject to the parties' ability to engage her and the father's financial capacity. The parties were directed to cooperate with an intake process with Ms R.