Cimorelli & Anor and Wenlack & Anor

In the matter of *Cimorelli & Anor and Wenlack & Anor*, Foster J of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia considered an application concerning the welfare and contact arrangements for three children. The applicants, the maternal grandparents, sought orders for supervised time with their grandchildren. The respondent father opposed this application, and the Independent Children’s Lawyer was involved to represent the children's best interests.

The central legal issues before the Court were whether it was in the best interests of the children for them to spend supervised time with their maternal grandparents, and if so, what conditions and limitations should apply to such contact. The Court also had to consider the appropriate measures to ensure the children's safety and well-being, particularly in light of the circumstances that led to the dispute.

Foster J determined that supervised contact was appropriate, but with significant restrictions. The Court ordered that the children would spend a limited amount of supervised time each month with the maternal grandparents at a nominated contact service, with the grandparents bearing the cost of supervision. Crucially, the maternal grandparents were restrained from approaching or contacting the children outside of these supervised arrangements, and were also prohibited from attending within 200 metres of the children's residence or schools, except with the father's express written consent. The father and maternal grandparents were directed to take all necessary steps to facilitate the supervised contact.