(1)

A party may apply for an expedited trial.

Note
For the procedure for making an application in a case, see Chapter 5.

(2) The court may take into account whether:

(a)

the applicant has acted reasonably and without delay in the conduct of the case;

(b)

the application has been made without delay; and

(c)

there is an exceptional circumstance in which the case should be given priority to the possible detriment of other cases.

(3) If the court is satisfied of the matters in subrule (2), the court may:

(a)

order an expedited trial;

(b)

set a trial date;

(c)

specify how the trial will be conducted;

(d)

define the issues;

(e)

limit disclosure;

(f)

set a timetable for the filing of affidavits; and

(g)

identify the documentary evidence to be relied on.

(4) For paragraph (2) (c), an exceptional circumstance includes:

(a)

whether the age, physical or mental health of, or other circumstance (such as an imminent move interstate or overseas) affecting a party or witness, that would affect the availability or competence of the party or witness;

(b)

whether a party has been violent, harassing or intimidating to another party or a witness;

(c) whether the applicant is suffering financial hardship that:

(i)

is not caused by the applicant; and

(ii)

cannot be rectified by an interim order;

(d)

whether the continuation of interim orders is causing the applicant or the children hardship;

(e)

whether the purpose of the case will be lost if it is not heard quickly (for example, a job opportunity will be lost if not taken; property will be destroyed; an occasion will have passed);

(f)

whether the case involves allegations of child sexual, or other, abuse; and

(g)

whether an expedited trial would avoid serious emotional or psychological trauma to a party or child who is the subject of, or affected by, the case.