Ricketts and Crowe

In the matter of *Ricketts and Crowe*, heard before Judge Brown, the dispute concerned interim and final orders sought by Ms Ricketts in relation to a child, X, born in 2012. The proceedings involved allegations and time-spending issues that required determination by the Court.

The primary legal issue before the Court was the re-appointment of an Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) to represent the interests of the child X. The Court also needed to determine the procedural steps required for the parties to file and serve their respective applications and responses, and to set a date for an interim hearing to address the allegations and time-spending issues.

Judge Brown ordered the re-appointment of an ICL pursuant to section 68L of the *Family Law Act 1975*. The parties' solicitors were directed to forward relevant documents to the Legal Aid Commission of New South Wales within seven days to facilitate this appointment, with the ICL to endeavour to be in a position to make submissions on the adjourned date. Ms Ricketts was ordered to file and serve an application detailing her interim and final orders by 12 May 2017, with Ms Crowe to file and serve a Response and Affidavit in support by 26 May 2017. The matter was adjourned for an interim hearing on 8 June 2017 in Broken Hill.