PEMBROKE & PEMBROKE

In the matter of Pembroke & Pembroke, Judge McGuire of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia made interim orders concerning the parenting arrangements for three children, X, Y, and Z. The dispute involved the parents' arrangements for the children's residence and time spent with each parent.

The court was required to determine the interim living arrangements for the children, the specific times the children would spend with the father, and the need for independent representation for the children. The court also considered the process by which the independent children's lawyer would be appointed and the scope of their access to documents filed in the proceedings.

Judge McGuire ordered that the children live with the mother and detailed a phased approach for the father's time with the children, commencing with weekend visits and progressing to overnight stays. The court also directed that the children be independently represented pursuant to section 68L(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975*, requesting the Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania to arrange this representation. The independent children's lawyer was to be provided with all relevant documents within 48 hours of appointment and was granted permission to inspect and copy documents previously produced to the court under subpoena, with an exception for material produced to the Department of Health and Human Services. The matter was listed for further directions and submissions from the independent children's lawyer.