Chapman and Cousins

The proceedings involved parties identified as Chapman and Cousins, with the dispute concerning orders made on 24 September 2003, specifically paragraph 19(c) which the Court considered to have lapsed. The matter came before the Honourable Justice Burr.

The Court was required to determine several issues, including whether the Minister for the Department for Families and Communities – Families SA intended to formally intervene in the proceedings. Additionally, the Court needed to address the release of a specific family psychology report to various government agencies and consider the engagement of counsellors to assist the child, N, with counselling processes involving her father, and the associated costs. The Court also had to consider whether to continue an injunction restraining the parties from permitting the child to engage in counselling based on assumptions of abuse, and whether to suspend the father's ordered time with the child.

The Court reasoned that paragraph 19(c) of the previous orders had lapsed. It ordered further consideration of the proceedings to be adjourned, requiring the Minister to indicate their intention to intervene. The Court authorised the release of a family psychology report to the Minister's representative, South Australian Police, and potentially Child Protection Services. It also directed the parties and the Independent Children's Lawyer to discuss suitable counsellors for the child regarding counselling with her father and the method of cost payment. Furthermore, the Court ordered, until further order, that the parties be restrained from engaging the child in counselling predicated on assumptions of abuse, and that the father's ordered time with the child be suspended.