Fournier and Noelle (Adjournment Application)

In the matter of Fournier and Noelle, heard by Bennett J, the application before the court concerned an adjournment sought by the mother. The precise nature of the underlying dispute is not detailed in the provided text, but it involved the mother, the father, and an independent children's lawyer.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether to grant the mother's application for an adjournment of the proceedings. A secondary issue arose regarding the ability of the independent children's lawyer to call a solicitor, Ms Michelle Crighton, to give evidence or be cross-examined by telephone.

Bennett J refused the mother's application for an adjournment. The court granted leave for the independent children's lawyer to call Ms Crighton by telephone, indicating that this was permissible for the purposes of either cross-examination or evidence in chief. The court also made orders for the transcription of its reasons and confirmed that the matter reasonably required the attendance of counsel, pursuant to Rule 19.50 of the Family Law Rules 2004.