El'Akmar and El'Akmar

In the matter of El'Akmar and El'Akmar, Bennett J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application concerning the welfare and parental responsibility of three children. The dispute involved the wife seeking orders for the children to live with her, for her to have sole parental responsibility, and for there to be no contact between the husband and the children. The court also addressed the children's surnames and the husband's ability to locate or contact the wife and children.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether it was in the best interests of the children for them to live with the wife and for her to have sole parental responsibility, and whether to grant an injunction restraining the husband from attempting to locate, approach, or contact the wife and children. The court was also required to determine whether to authorise the wife to change the children's surnames and to make orders regarding the confidentiality of the wife and children's whereabouts.

Bennett J applied the paramount principle that the best interests of the children are the primary consideration in all matters relating to their welfare. The court was satisfied that the orders sought by the wife were in the best interests of the children, particularly in light of an intervention order obtained by the wife and one of the children against the husband. Pursuant to section 68B of the *Family Law Act 1975*, the court granted an injunction restraining the husband from attempting to locate, approach, or contact the wife and children without leave of the court. The court also authorised the wife to change the children's surnames and made extensive orders to protect the identity and whereabouts of the wife and children, while allowing the husband to provide his address for future contact if the children wished.