Dickens and Dickens and Anor (No 3)

In *Dickens and Dickens and Anor (No 3)*, Johnston J of the Family Court of Australia considered applications concerning the welfare of two children, B and C. The dispute involved the parents' arrangements for the children, particularly regarding their attendance at counselling and communication with their father.

The court was required to determine the terms of orders relating to the children's counselling, including who would facilitate their attendance, who would bear the costs, and the extent to which the parents would comply with the counsellor's recommendations. Additionally, the court had to consider variations to existing orders concerning the child C's communication with his father on his birthday.

Johnston J made orders reflecting a need for the children to attend counselling with a Mr Q of V Org, with the mother responsible for ensuring their attendance and meeting the costs of their sessions. Both parents were directed to attend counselling themselves and to implement the recommendations made by Mr Q. Crucially, pending further order, there was to be no time spent between the child C and his father. The court also varied a previous order to allow the father to telephone C on his birthday before 6:00 pm. All current applications were adjourned to a later date.