Merrill and Jeffreys

In the matter of *Merrill and Jeffreys*, the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia considered a dispute between the parties concerning their child. The specific nature of the dispute, beyond its family law context, is not detailed in the provided text.

The court was required to determine the appropriate interim orders for the child, including the need for dispute resolution and the appointment of an Independent Children’s Lawyer. The court also considered the child's ongoing welfare and the procedural steps necessary to ensure adequate representation and information flow to relevant parties.

The court ordered the parties to attend family dispute resolution and adjourned the proceedings for a call-over. Crucially, the court made no variation to existing orders concerning the child, who was born in July 2003. Pursuant to section 68L of the *Family Law Act 1975*, an Independent Children’s Lawyer was appointed for the child, with a request made to the Legal Aid Commission of New South Wales to arrange representation. Further orders directed the parties to provide relevant documentation to the Legal Aid Commission and requested consideration for the matter to be included in the Magellan program.