Sheenan and Sheenan

In the matter of *Sheenan and Sheenan*, Young J of the Family Court of Australia made orders concerning ongoing proceedings between the husband and wife. The dispute involved the welfare and arrangements for the three children of the marriage, with the court addressing applications and the implementation of previous orders.

The court was required to determine the future conduct of the proceedings, including the listing of extant applications and the removal of the matter from the judge's list. Additionally, the court considered orders for the parties' engagement with counselling and support services, and the facilitation of supervised contact between the husband and the children. The court also addressed the provision of relevant reports to a contact centre and reserved liberty to apply for urgent matters.

Young J ordered that the further hearing of all extant applications be listed for mention or a directions hearing before a Registrar in late February 2010. The matter was removed from the judge's list as no hearing had commenced. Specific orders were made for the husband to attend counselling and a parent course, and for the wife to contact a domestic violence outreach service. Both parties, along with the Independent Children’s Lawyer, were directed to facilitate the implementation of previous orders, including the commencement of supervised contact between the husband and the children. The Independent Children’s Lawyer was ordered to provide a Family Report to the contact centre. Liberty to apply was reserved for urgent circumstances, subject to a Registrar's direction. The court certified that the matter reasonably required the attendance of counsel for the wife and the Independent Children’s Lawyer.