Stone and Stone

In the matter of *Stone and Stone*, heard before Baumann J of the Family Court of Australia, the applicant sought leave to proceed with an initiating application filed on 4 September 2019. The proceedings concerned the children, B and C, born in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

The court was required to determine whether to grant the applicant leave to proceed with the initiating application. Further, the court needed to make orders regarding the representation of the children and the respondent's obligation to file and serve a response.

Baumann J granted the applicant leave to proceed with the initiating application. The court ordered that the children, B and C, be represented in the proceedings, requesting Legal Aid Queensland to arrange such representation. An Independent Children’s Lawyer was granted liberty to peruse and copy all filed documents and to issue any relevant subpoenas. The respondent was ordered to file and serve a response to the initiating application, supported by an affidavit, within twenty-eight days. The proceedings were adjourned for a Case Management Hearing on 21 January 2020.