Langmeil and Grange (No 2)

In *Langmeil and Grange (No 2)*, Dawe J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application by the mother seeking to introduce new evidence concerning issues previously determined in earlier proceedings. The court noted the protracted history of the matter and the risk of emotional and psychological harm to the children arising from the ongoing litigation, which had previously been declared vexatious.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether to permit the mother to present new evidence on already determined matters, and whether to continue restraining the mother from filing further applications without leave, given the vexatious nature of the proceedings. The court also considered the mother's overall lack of success and the parties' financial circumstances in determining costs.

Dawe J reasoned that allowing the mother to re-litigate decided issues would be contrary to the principles of finality in litigation and would further expose the children to harm. The court applied the principles governing vexatious proceedings and the need to protect children from the detrimental effects of prolonged and unproductive litigation. Consequently, the mother's application was dismissed, and she was restrained from filing further applications without judicial leave.

The court ordered that the mother's initiating application be dismissed, and that she be restrained from filing any further applications under the *Family Law Act 1975* concerning the children or property settlement matters, except by leave of a judge. The mother was also ordered to pay the father's costs fixed at $800.00. All outstanding applications before the court were dismissed.