CAI & BACON

The matter before the Court involved an application by the father, CAI, against the mother, BACON, concerning their child, B. The father had filed a contravention application on 5 December 2014, which he sought to withdraw. The proceedings were heard by Bennett J.

The Court was required to determine several issues, including whether to grant the father leave to withdraw his contravention application, how to vary existing orders regarding communication between the parties, and how to facilitate the child's best interests through separate representation and a psychiatric assessment of both parents. The Court also needed to address arrangements for the child's time with each parent, including transport and contact centre involvement, and to ensure the parties understood the obligations and consequences of the court orders.

By consent, the Court granted the father leave to withdraw his contravention application. The Court varied paragraph 11 of the orders made on 15 July 2013 to permit communication via SMS and email, noting the parties' respective addresses. The Court ordered that the child B be separately represented pursuant to s 68L(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975*, requesting Victoria Legal Aid to arrange this representation and for the independent children's lawyer to obtain psychiatric assessments of both parents. Further directions were given regarding the filing of documents, initiation of negotiations on transport responsibilities, and the parties' engagement with a contact centre. The Court also attached a Fact Sheet detailing the obligations and consequences of contravening the orders, pursuant to ss 65DA(2) and 62B. The father disclosed a medical condition and was directed to consult a medical practitioner regarding drowsiness when driving.