Mendoza and Lawler

The case of *Mendoza and Lawler* concerned an application before Justice Ryan in the Family Court of Australia. The dispute involved parenting arrangements for children, with the mother seeking to vacate a previously listed trial date and reschedule the final hearing.

The primary legal issue before the Court was the appropriate management of the case's progression towards a final hearing, including the setting of new timelines for the filing of evidence and the conduct of the hearing itself. This involved considering the need for updated material from one party and ensuring adequate notice for the potential cross-examination of experts.

Justice Ryan ordered that the trial previously listed for 15 October 2007 be vacated. A new final hearing was scheduled to commence on 25 February 2008, with four days allocated. Directions were made for the filing and service of affidavits, requiring them to be lodged six weeks prior to the new hearing date, with the father permitted to file only updating material. Furthermore, any party or the Independent Children's Lawyer was required to provide the Court with at least 14 days' written notice if an expert was needed for cross-examination. Liberty to apply on 48 hours' notice was also granted.