Ahmed and Oakes

In the matter of *Ahmed and Oakes*, heard before Bennett J, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for two children, a son born in August 1992 and a daughter born in April 1995. The court was required to determine the appropriate orders regarding the children's welfare and the father's time with them.

The central legal issue before the court was the need for a Family Report to inform future parenting orders. Specifically, the court had to consider whether to order the parties and children to attend upon a Family Consultant for the preparation of such a report, and to set a timeline for its completion and release.

Bennett J ordered that the parties and the children attend upon a Family Consultant nominated by the Director of Child Dispute Services for the preparation of a Family Report. The parties were directed to comply with all reasonable directions from the Family Consultant, and the report was to be released no later than 30 July 2007. The court noted that at the time of these orders, there was no existing enforceable order for the father to spend time with or communicate with either child. A further hearing was scheduled for 13 August 2007 for a Trial Notice Listing.