Farrell and Farrell (No 2)

In the matter of *Farrell and Farrell (No 2)*, Justice Fowler of the Family Court of Australia considered orders relating to the time spent by the mother with the children, B, C, and D, and the appointment of a single expert to report on matters concerning the care, welfare, and development of the children, including E. The dispute centred on the arrangements for the children's time with their mother and the need for expert assessment in light of ongoing parental issues.

The court was required to determine the specific terms of the mother's time with the children, including provisions for Saturdays, Christmas Day, and Mother's Day. Furthermore, the court needed to address the consequences of the mother's non-compliance with existing orders and the necessity and scope of appointing a single expert to investigate and report on various aspects of the children's welfare and their relationships with both parents.

Justice Fowler ordered that previous orders regarding the children's time with the mother, along with specific provisions for Saturdays, Christmas Day, and Mother's Day, would continue pending further order. The court also stipulated that the mother's time with the children would be suspended on the next scheduled occasion if she failed to comply with these or prior orders. Crucially, Dr. F, a psychologist, was appointed as a Single Expert under Division 15.5.2 of the *Family Law Rules 2004* to inquire into and report on the care, welfare, and development of the children. The expert was directed to consider a comprehensive list of factors, including the benefit of a meaningful relationship with both parents, the need to protect children from harm, the children's views, the nature of their relationships with parents, parental willingness to facilitate relationships, practical difficulties, parental capacity, and any family violence.