HUTTON & ANDREIA

In the matter of *Hutton & Andreia*, Hannam J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application for urgent intervention by the Secretary of the NSW Department of Family and Community Services. The specific nature of the dispute between the parties, Hutton and Andreia, is not detailed, but the court's orders indicate a matter requiring immediate attention from child protection authorities.

The central legal issue before the court was whether to grant leave for the Secretary of the NSW Department of Family and Community Services to intervene in the proceedings on an urgent basis, and to facilitate that intervention by providing the court's orders and reasons for judgment to the Secretary. The court also considered the procedural steps necessary for such an intervention, including the filing and service of a Notice of Intervention and the granting of leave for the Secretary to inspect and copy court documents.

Hannam J applied Section 91B of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), which permits the court to request the intervention of a relevant child welfare authority in proceedings. The court's decision to grant the request and make specific orders for urgent disclosure and a short adjournment reflects a determination that the circumstances warranted the involvement of the Department of Family and Community Services to ensure the best interests of any child involved in the proceedings. The court ultimately adjourned the matter for a short period to allow for the intervention to occur.