TIMELINE OF MATTHEW LEVESON'S DISAPPEARANCE, INVESTIGATIONS AND COURT HEARINGS  September 23 - Video footage shows Mr Leveson, 20, and partner Michael Atkins, 44, leaving Darlinghurst's ARQ nightclub in the early hours  September 25 - Mr Atkins and Mr Leveson's parents, Mark and Faye, report him missing after he failed to turn up for work  September 27 - His car is found at a Sutherland reserve, near his home, with a Bunnings receipt found in the boot for the purchase of a mattock and gaffer tape  - Police interview Mr Atkins and search his unit, telling him they had watched CCTV footage showing him buying the mattock and gaffer tape - despite his denial  January 29 - Mr and Mrs Leveson visit Mr Atkins' unit wearing a police listening device; he admits lying about going to Bunnings and says the mattock was bought to plant zucchinis in a garden at the unit block  August 5 - Mr Atkins charged with murder  August 15 - A coroner formally finds Mr Leveson died on or about September 23, 2007 at Cronulla, before suspending his inquest  August 29 - Mr Atkins goes on trial and exercises his right to silence  October 20 - He's acquitted of murder and manslaughter  January 15 - State Coroner Michael Barnes decides to resume the inquest.  May 20 - NSW Deputy State Coroner Elaine Truscott says Mr Atkins, as the last person to see Mr Leveson alive, held vital answers and she compelled him to give evidence at the inquest  September 5 - Mr Atkins' lawyers argue in the Supreme Court that the inquest had been unlawfully reopened and Ms Truscott had no jurisdiction to continue with it  October 12 - The court rejects Mr Atkins' challenge; Mr and Mrs Leveson welcome the chance to hear evidence from him for the first time  October 31 - Inquest resumes.
For the first time since his partner disappeared nine years ago, Michael Atkins is giving evidence in a court.