CORSON & CORSON

In *Corson & Corson*, Altobelli J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia considered an application for interim parenting orders concerning the children's time with their father. The mother sought to restrict the father's time with the children, alleging an unacceptable risk of abuse.

The central legal issue before the court was whether there was sufficient evidence to establish an unacceptable risk of harm to the children if they were to spend unsupervised time with their father. The court was required to assess the nature and credibility of the allegations of abuse and determine the appropriate interim arrangements for the children's welfare and best interests.

Altobelli J reasoned that the mother had not discharged the onus of demonstrating an unacceptable risk of abuse. The court found that the allegations, as presented, did not meet the threshold required to justify the significant restriction of the father's contact. Applying the principles of interim parenting orders, which require a demonstrable risk to warrant such limitations, the court determined that unsupervised time with the father was appropriate at this stage.

Consequently, the court ordered that the children spend unsupervised time with the father.