SIMPSON & SIMPSON

This matter came before Baumann J concerning a dispute between the husband and wife. The proceedings involved applications for leave to identify a notifier to the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women, and for parties to adduce adversarial expert evidence.

The court was required to determine whether to grant leave for the parties to identify the notifier of certain notifications made to the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women, pursuant to section 186 of the *Child Protection Act 1999*. Additionally, the court considered applications for leave to adduce adversarial expert evidence in relation to property valuations and other matters. The court also made numerous procedural orders concerning disclosure of financial documents, filing of affidavits, exchange of case outlines, notification of telephone evidence, cross-examination, objections to evidence, and costs notices.

The court granted leave for the Independent Children’s Lawyer to copy subpoenaed material from the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women and a school for the purpose of providing it to Mr F prior to the release of a family report. Leave was also granted for the parties to identify the notifier of specific notifications made to the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women. Furthermore, the court made detailed orders regarding the exchange of financial documents, the filing of affidavits by both parties and expert witnesses, and the preparation of case outlines. Specific directions were given for expert conferences concerning the valuation of real properties, with costs allocated to the respective parties. Leave was also granted for the husband to file an affidavit annexing a report from his treating cardiologist.