Strahan and Strahan (No 7)

In the matter of *Strahan and Strahan (No 7)*, Strickland J of the Family Court of Australia considered an oral application by the wife for a stay of proceedings pending an appeal from the dismissal of her application seeking the judge's disqualification. The court also addressed an application by the husband concerning interim child welfare orders and the admissibility of an expert's report.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether to grant the wife's application for a stay of proceedings and whether to receive an expert's report that was not in strict compliance with a previous court order, specifically concerning the expert's consultation with the wife before making recommendations. The husband sought orders based on this report, which had been prepared following observations of the child's time with him, an event that had not occurred as ordered.

Strickland J dismissed the wife's application for a stay, finding no basis to halt proceedings. Regarding the expert's report, the court determined that it lacked value in its current form because the expert had not consulted with the wife as required. Consequently, the court ordered that both parties facilitate the preparation of an updated report by the expert, Dr C. This updated report was to include observations of the recommencement of the husband's time with the child and the impact of such time at the child's school, with Dr C at liberty to interview other relevant individuals. The costs of this report were to be borne equally by the parties. The court also made directions regarding the husband's application and other pending matters.