Grant-Steel and Heath

In the matter of *Grant-Steel and Heath*, Strickland J of the Family Court of Australia considered orders relating to ongoing proceedings concerning children. The dispute involved applications and responses from the parties, with the Independent Children's Lawyer playing a significant role in representing the children's interests.

The court was required to determine several procedural and substantive matters to ensure the efficient and just progression of the trial. These included the filing of further evidence by the Independent Children's Lawyer, the obtaining of a psychiatric report concerning the father's mental state, and the filing of an amended response by the mother. The court also needed to set a date for the resumption of the part-heard trial.

Strickland J made orders to facilitate the gathering of necessary information and to manage the trial process. Leave was granted for the Independent Children's Lawyer to file a further affidavit containing school documents, and for the lawyer to provide material to a psychiatrist for the father's assessment. The father was ordered to attend a psychiatric assessment and meet the costs of the report, which was to be filed by a specified date. The mother was directed to file an amended response within 14 days. The matter was then adjourned to resume as a part-heard trial on 27 October 2008.