Santanna and Santanna and Anor

In the Family Court of Australia, Cleary J considered an application by the mother concerning parenting orders for six children. The father had made an oral response to the mother's application, which the court dismissed. The court also ordered that the paternal uncle, Mr B Santanna, be joined as a party to the proceedings as the Second Respondent.

The primary legal issues before the court were to determine the father's proposed time and communication arrangements with the children and to consider the application by the intervener, who was to file and serve their sought orders and supporting material. The court also had to address the mother's response to the intervener's application.

Cleary J applied rules 10.12 and 10.14 of the Family Law Rules in dismissing the father's oral response. The court directed the father to file and serve a Minute of Orders detailing his requested time and communication with the children, supported by a limited affidavit. The court also set deadlines for the intervener to file their application and material, and for the mother to respond to the intervener's proposed orders. The matter was listed for a two-day hearing.