Finch and Harris (No.3)

In *Finch and Harris (No.3)*, the Federal Circuit Court of Australia considered applications by the Applicant Father concerning alleged contraventions of court orders by the Respondent Mother. The dispute centred on the Respondent Mother's compliance with orders relating to the medical and psychological care of the child, X.

The court was required to determine whether the Respondent Mother had contravened specific orders made on 8 May 2013, and if so, whether she had a reasonable excuse for any such contraventions. The orders in question concerned the scheduling of medical consultations with a paediatric surgeon and psychological counselling sessions for the child.

Judge Scarlett found that the Respondent Mother had a reasonable excuse for contravening one order in February 2014. However, the court determined that she had contravened other orders on multiple occasions in June, July, and August 2013 without reasonable excuse, specifically failing to make appointments for medical consultations and psychological support for the child. Consequently, the court discharged one of the original orders and substituted it with a new order requiring the Respondent Mother to arrange a consultation with a paediatric surgeon within 28 days for the purpose of addressing the child's umbilical hernia and circumcision. No other orders were made as a result of the contraventions, and all other applications were dismissed.