Smythe and Leopold (No. 2)

In the matter of *Smythe and Leopold (No. 2)*, Benjamin J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application filed on 24 November 2011. The precise nature of the dispute between Smythe and Leopold is not detailed in the provided text, but the orders indicate ongoing proceedings requiring further judicial determination.

The court was required to determine the appropriate procedural steps for the continuation of the proceedings. This included deciding whether to dismiss the application filed in November 2011, setting a date for a substantive hearing, and establishing a timeline for the parties to file and serve evidence. The court also had to consider whether it was reasonable for counsel to be engaged for the purposes of the proceedings, pursuant to Rule 19.50 of the *Family Law Rules 2004*.

Benjamin J ordered that the application filed on 24 November 2011 be dismissed. However, the proceedings were not terminated; instead, they were listed for a four-day hearing commencing on 16 April 2012 in Hobart. Leave was granted to the parties to file and serve any material upon which they intended to rely by 4.00 pm on Wednesday, 29 February 2012. Furthermore, the court certified that it was reasonable to engage counsel to attend the proceedings.