THORPE & WEBSTER

In *Thorpe & Webster*, heard by Judge Harman, the proceedings concerned an application by the mother, with the father's compliance with court directions being a central issue. The court was required to determine whether to proceed with a final hearing, adjourn the proceedings, and what directions were necessary to ensure the father's participation and compliance with his obligations.

The court's reasoning focused on the father's failure to comply with previous orders, particularly regarding the filing of affidavit material. Judge Harman indicated that if the father did not file the required material by the specified date, the matter would likely proceed to a final and undefended hearing on the mother's application. The court also considered the attendance of the family report writer and the father's obligation to provide his contact details and treating general practitioner's information to the Independent Children's Lawyer.

The court ordered the vacation of the trial dates previously allocated for May 2015 and adjourned the proceedings to 5 August 2015. Crucially, the father was directed to file and serve all affidavit material he intended to rely upon, or at least his trial affidavit, by close of business on 31 July 2015. Failure to comply with this direction would likely result in the matter proceeding to a final undefended hearing on the mother's application, with probable orders in her favour. The family report writer was excused from attendance, and the father was ordered to provide his current contact and medical details to the Independent Children's Lawyer immediately.