Imani and Etola

In the matter of Imani and Etola, Bennett J considered an application by the mother for leave to rely on documents and evidence from concluded parenting proceedings in a related appeal concerning an intervention order made against the father in the Magistrates’ Court at Suburb M. The intervention order was made for the protection of the mother and two children.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the parties should be permitted to utilise evidence and filings from the parenting proceedings in the context of the father's appeal against the intervention order in the County Court of Victoria, or any other related proceedings under the *Family Violence Protection Act 2008* (Vic).

Bennett J granted leave for the mother to make an oral application for this purpose. The court ordered that both the mother and the father be at liberty to provide copies of documents filed and evidence given in the parenting proceedings to the judicial officers presiding over any applications or appeals under the *Family Violence Protection Act 2008* (Vic). This included specific reports and transcripts of evidence from psychiatric experts and court proceedings. The court also directed that its reasons for decision be transcribed and that a specific email communication from the independent children's lawyer be marked as an exhibit.