Holmen and Farley (No. 2)

In *Holmen and Farley (No. 2)*, Brown J of the Family Court of Australia considered competing applications for final parenting orders concerning a child born in July 2003. The proceedings involved the mother and father, as well as an independent children's lawyer.

The court was required to determine the procedural arrangements for the mother to give evidence at the trial, specifically whether she could do so electronically. Additionally, the court considered various applications made by the father and the independent children's lawyer for leave to file and serve subpoenas, and whether certain costs associated with the proceedings were to be borne by the Court.

Brown J ordered that the mother be permitted to attend the trial and give evidence, along with her mother, by electronic means, utilising a video-link between the Dandenong and Melbourne registries of the Family Court. The costs of this video-link were to be borne by the Court. The father was granted leave to file an updating affidavit and to serve subpoenas on D Crèche for progress and developmental reports, and on Ms K to give evidence. However, the father's oral application for a subpoena to attend and give evidence addressed to the mother's father was dismissed. The independent children's lawyer received leave to serve a subpoena on Dr L concerning events subsequent to the production of Dr L's earlier records. The court also made directions regarding the provision of police documents and reports to certain professionals. Finally, the court made orders regarding the transcription of reasons for judgment and the attendance of counsel and a solicitor appearing as counsel.