Langmeil and Grange (No 3)

In *Langmeil and Grange (No 3)*, Dawe J of the Family Court of Australia considered interim orders concerning the residence and time arrangements for three children, given allegations of sexual abuse by the father, which had not been established at trial. The proceedings also involved concerns about the risk of psychological and emotional abuse, as well as the mother's mental health.

The court was required to determine the best interests of the children in light of these competing concerns and the history of the proceedings. A further issue was whether the Family Court possessed jurisdiction to make an order by way of mandamus, with the court holding that State law could apply to the Family Court where it did not contradict the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).

Dawe J reasoned that, despite the mother's allegations, the children's best interests were served by them continuing to reside with the father. The court ordered that the mother's time with the children be suspended until supervised time could be arranged at a children's contact centre once a month. Both parties were directed to register at the specified contact centre and apply for supervised time. The court also ordered that final orders be filed and served, and if further applications were made, the children would be separately represented by an Independent Children's Lawyer, with specific directions for expediting this appointment. The father's application for costs was reserved for final orders.