Wattel and Evans

In the matter of *Wattel and Evans*, Justice Murphy of the Family Court of Australia presided over proceedings concerning the best interests of a child born in August 2002. The dispute involved various applications and reports, including those from Dr M and a Family Report writer engaged by the Independent Children's Lawyer. The court was tasked with determining the central issues for the child's best interests and making consequential orders.

The court was required to determine the specific orders sought by each party at the final hearing, identify the central issues for the determination of the child's best interests, and consider the implications of reports from Dr M and the Family Report writer. Additionally, the court addressed a Contravention Application filed on 14 November 2008 and considered directions regarding communication between the father and the child, as well as the role and access to information for the Independent Children's Lawyer.

Justice Murphy assigned himself as Judge Manager and set a trial date for 21 October 2009. The court directed parties to file and serve their final orders sought and a list of central issues for the child's best interests, taking into account all reports. Paragraph 14 of previous Minutes of Order was discharged. Specific communication orders were made for the father to speak with the child by telephone on designated dates. The Independent Children's Lawyer was granted leave to issue subpoenas and to allow parties to inspect subpoenaed material under an undertaking of confidentiality. The court also ordered that parties facilitate the obtaining of a Family Report and allowed the Independent Children's Lawyer to provide documentation to experts and for those experts to consult with each other. The Contravention Application was dismissed, and there were no orders as to costs. The court also included a Fact Sheet detailing the obligations and consequences of contravening the orders.