Newett & Newett and Anor (No. 5)

In the matter of *Newett & Newett and Anor (No. 5)*, heard by Baumann J, the proceedings involved applications by the Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) for leave to withdraw and by the mother for an adjournment of the trial concerning parenting and property matters. The father opposed the mother's application for an adjournment.

The court was required to determine whether to grant the ICL's application to withdraw and whether to grant the mother's application to adjourn the trial. The central legal issues revolved around the court's discretion to permit the withdrawal of an ICL and its power to grant or refuse an adjournment in complex family law proceedings, particularly when faced with competing interests and the commencement of a final hearing.

Baumann J granted leave for the ICL to withdraw from the proceedings. The court also adjourned the final hearing of the parenting matters to a date to be fixed, while proceeding with the property trial. The reasoning behind these decisions, particularly concerning the adjournment of the parenting trial, is not detailed in the provided text, but the outcome reflects the court's management of the case on the first day of the trial.