Cliff and Kahmann

In the matter of *Cliff and Kahmann*, heard by Baumann J, the father sought orders against the mother for her failure to comply with a previous court order made on 31 August 2018. The dispute concerned the mother's non-compliance with specific provisions of that order on 22 April 2019 and 4 May 2019.

The court was required to determine whether the mother had failed to comply with the existing court orders without reasonable excuse. Further, the court had to consider the appropriate consequences for such non-compliance, including the imposition of a bond and the award of costs to the father. The court also needed to address variations to the existing parenting orders, particularly concerning the child's time with the father and the arrangements for changeovers.

Baumann J found that the mother had failed to comply with Order 4(c) of the 31 August 2018 order without reasonable excuse. Consequently, the mother was ordered to enter into a bond under s 70NEB of the *Family Law Act 1975*, requiring her to be of good behaviour and comply with court orders, and to meet with a Family Consultant to understand the importance of complying with court orders in the child's best interests. The mother was also ordered to pay $3,300 towards the father's legal costs, with a provision for reduction to $1,000 if she complied with court orders for two years, or full payment if she failed to comply. The existing parenting orders were varied to recommence with specific provisions for the child's time with the father and to establish the D contact centre as the primary location for changeovers, with shared costs, unless otherwise agreed or if the centre was unavailable.