WINTON & DAWSON (EX TEMPORE)

In proceedings before Hannam J, the court considered a request for the Director-General of the Department of Family and Community Services to intervene. The dispute concerned matters arising under the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), specifically in relation to the reasons for an order made pursuant to section 91B of that Act.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether to grant leave for the Director-General to intervene in the proceedings and to inspect and copy documents on the court file. The court was also required to make directions for the future conduct of the proceedings, including the preparation of a case outline and witness list, and to consider the continuation of existing orders.

Hannam J ordered that the Director-General of the NSW Department of Family and Community Services be requested to intervene pursuant to section 91B of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). Leave was granted for the Director-General, or their delegate, to inspect and copy any documents on the court file under Rule 24.13 of the *Family Law Rules 2004* (Cth). The matter was adjourned, with directions for the parties to prepare a list of witnesses and a brief case outline. The court also granted leave to the Independent Children’s Lawyer to issue further subpoenas and to have photocopy access to documents produced on subpoena, and exempted the Independent Children’s Lawyer from fees. Existing orders were continued until the next occasion.