707 Back in Action - Part 4

Monday, continued…

Anna could not believe her mother, playing the pitiful woman.  She was pandering to her father, which meant that this church would be paying for their ultimate representation in the case to push their agenda.

Anna quickly stood up "Your honour, please do not see this as presumptuous, as I know you are about to tell my mother that only she or her lawyer can represent her.  If, at this moment she wants my grandfather, her father, to speak on her behalf neither myself nor those who I represent will object, as long as they are both at a contested hearing represented by lawyers."

"Mrs Hou, you know the rules of court."

"Your honour, allowing that will speed up the case, rather than causing unnecessary argument."

The magistrate turned to the police prosecutors who said, "If the victims are satisfied, while we do not like it, for the sake of getting through this matter to allow us to deal with other matters."

The magistrate, while not really wanting to do this, quickly realised that Anna was trying to get the proceedings dealt with.  "While I am reluctant to allow this, as neither the police nor Mrs Hou object, I will allow it for today only.  You both need representation as the case progresses."

Anna's grandfather with a smug look on his face, believing he was in control, started to speak again "As to the application for an order against my daughter by my granddaughter, that is totally unnecessary.  She is rarely in the country, and as she has already said she and her husband have bodyguards, and they can protect her against any imaginary threat from my loving daughter.  The same applies to my granddaughter-in-law.  From what my daughter says, they both are rude and disrespectful to her, and their actions have destroyed the marriage that was the centre of her life.  Why should the court waste time and money on something that is completely unnecessary.  As to the order regarding her husband, I was with her when the situation occurred that resulted in that being made.  My son-in-law refused to allow her to speak or try and save their marriage and her comments were directed at his actions there, not specifically a threat to her.  She agreed to the order simply because she believed it was necessary to try and save their marriage.  It is again unnecessary."

Anna, sitting their listening to what was coming out of her grandfather's mouth could not believe him.  As soon as he finished Anna stood up "Your Honour, while my sister-in-law and myself do not live permanently in Australia, as significant portions of our family are here we will be spending periods of time here.  My husband and I intend, subject to business commitments to spend four to six weeks a year at a minimum here let along times we are here for business purposes.  My brother and sister-in-law intend to do the same.  The orders are necessary to protect us here, because as she has already demonstrated by turning up to a private ceremony that she was not invited to, she does not respect the court.  The same for my grandfather.  As to my father, the changes that are sought are reasonable."

The police prosecutor stood up "Having heard what is said, Mrs Hou's is right.  Both her and the younger Mrs Jones, while not residing permanently in Australia need protection from the behaviour of both defendants in the dock.  The amendment to increase the distance and a new residential address for Mr Stan Jones is reasonable in the circumstances."

Pausing, the Magistrate said "I have had the opportunity to read the applications and heard what is said in respect to the orders sought or sought to be amended.  As both defendants wish to contest the orders, without your agreement, I will make a new order in the conditions sort by the police for your Mrs Hou against your mother but leave the existing orders in place until a contested hearing.  How long do you expect a contested hearing will take?"

Anna quickly turned to the police prosecutor and after a discussion she stood up, and said "Our preliminary view is that it will take at least a day, possibly two days."

Before the Magistrate could say anything, her grandfather stood up and said "More likely three to four days.  As I said these orders are driven by the religious hatred that my granddaughter, granddaughter-in-law and son-in-law have.  We need to put that information before the court.  And no orders are necessary."

Slightly shaking his head, the magistrate said "I understand that neither defendant's want the orders in place.  The existing orders will stand, and as there is an infant involved the order for Mrs Hou against Mrs Meredith Jones is necessary, regardless of how long they are in the country and when they are next in the country.  Mrs Hou, when you are coming into the country you need to let your mother and grandfather know at the address that appears on the order.  Mrs Alecia Jones, you need to do the same.  Can the court staff indicate how long of a wait for a three-day contested hearing?"

The court registrar said "The earliest available time is October for three straight days"

"Fine, book those days, I do not want to waste people time in bring them back to court where it is not necessary.  But the orders will all be extended until that hearing if they are due to expire in the interim.  However, if there is an agreement to resolve the matter the parties can have the matter listed earlier."

"Mrs Hou, is there anything else you want to say?"

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