Field and Bowers

In the matter of Field and Bowers, heard before Cronin J of the Family Court of Australia, the dispute concerned parenting orders for two children, T and C. The proceedings involved the husband, the wife, and an Independent Children’s Lawyer.

The court was required to determine a range of issues relating to the children's living arrangements, parental responsibility, and communication between the husband and the children. Additionally, the court had to consider the disposition of video footage held by the Queensland Police and the Registrar of the Family Court, as well as the discharge of the Independent Children’s Lawyer and the return of subpoenaed material.

Cronin J ordered that all existing parenting orders be discharged. The children were to live with the wife, who was granted sole parental responsibility. The husband was prohibited from spending time with or communicating with the children except by written arrangement with the wife. The court further ordered the release of SD cards containing video footage from the Queensland Police to the wife, authorising her to sign necessary documents in the husband's name if he failed to comply. The video footage held by the Registrar was also to be released to the wife, and the husband was ordered to provide all copies of this footage to her. The Independent Children’s Lawyer was discharged from the proceedings, and all outstanding applications, save for costs, were dismissed. The court also provided details of obligations and consequences of contravening the orders in an attached Fact Sheet, pursuant to sections 65DA(2) and 62B of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth). Subpoenaed material was to be returned to its providers, unless a Notice of Appeal was filed by a specified date.