Melville and Dent (No. 3)

In the matter of *Melville and Dent (No. 3)*, Cronin J of the Family Court of Australia was required to determine applications concerning the conduct of proceedings and the finalisation of orders. The dispute involved a wife seeking final orders on an undefended basis, while the husband had filed a response that the wife sought to have struck out.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether the husband's response should be struck out, whether the wife should be granted leave to proceed with her application for final orders on an undefended basis, and the appropriate directions for the future conduct of the proceedings, including the fixing of a final hearing date and the resolution of costs.

Cronin J reasoned that the husband's response should be struck out, thereby permitting the wife to proceed with her application for final orders on an undefended basis. The court vacated the previously listed hearing and fixed a new date for the final hearing. Further orders were made regarding the dismissal of a specific application, the incorporation of agreed minutes of proposed orders, and the notification of the husband of the court's orders. Costs were reserved for the final hearing, and it was certified that the engagement of counsel and solicitor was reasonable.