Richards and Morris (No 2)

The matter before Tree J concerned an application by the mother, which was dismissed. The dispute involved proceedings between the mother and the father, with the Independent Children's Lawyer also participating. The court was required to determine the future conduct of the trial, including its resumption date and the process for dealing with electronic communications.

The court considered the mother's health and its impact on the trial's readiness, as well as the authenticity and authorship of various electronic communications. It also addressed the disclosure of documents to experts and the confidentiality obligations surrounding such disclosure.

Tree J ordered that the mother's application be dismissed and that the trial resume on 1 June 2015, unless otherwise ordered. A mention was scheduled for 17 March 2015 to update the court on the mother's health and trial readiness. Leave was granted to the Independent Children's Lawyer to issue a subpoena to a GP Super Clinic. Orders made by Registrar Coutts on 24 February 2015 were discharged or amended regarding the handling of subpoenaed documents. Specific provisions were made for parties wishing to brief experts on electronic communications, requiring notification to the Independent Children's Lawyer and undertakings of confidentiality from the experts.