Hamley and Hamley (No. 2)

This matter concerned interim parenting applications brought by the father and the mother. The court, presided over by Bennett J, was required to make orders regarding the conduct of the proceedings, including the scheduling of a final hearing and further interim hearings, as well as directions for the preparation and filing of material by the parties.

The court was tasked with determining the procedural steps necessary to advance the parenting dispute towards a final resolution, while also managing ongoing interim applications. This involved setting dates for a trial notice listing, a pre-trial conference, and the final hearing, and addressing the filing of further affidavit material by the mother. Additionally, the court needed to consider the role and involvement of the independent children's lawyer in various aspects of the proceedings, including assessments and the provision of information.

Bennett J directed that the matter be set down for a final hearing in October 2007, estimating it would take no more than five days. The court also adjourned the interim parenting applications to a date to be fixed, pending the filing of further material by the mother. Specific orders were made concerning the mother's disclosure of information regarding professional assessments of the child, the involvement of the school in supporting the child, and an assessment of the mother and child by Dr W, with the mother bearing the cost of this assessment. The court also clarified existing orders regarding the child's assessment by medical professionals and suspended a previous order preventing the mother from entering Victoria for the purpose of the assessment.