Grant and Attard

In Grant and Attard, heard by Cronin J, the dispute concerned parenting orders for a child, B, born in 2007. The orders addressed the child's living arrangements, time with and communication from the mother and her family, and the mother's proximity to the child's home and school.

The court was required to determine the appropriate interim parenting arrangements for B, considering the safety and welfare of the child. This involved assessing the extent to which the mother and her family should have contact with B, and whether any restrictions or supervision were necessary. The court also had to consider the role of an Independent Children's Lawyer and the provision of information to relevant parties and institutions.

Cronin J applied principles of child welfare and safety in making interim orders. The court suspended existing parenting orders relating to the mother's time and communication with B, ordered that B live with the husband, and issued an injunction restraining the mother and her family from spending time with or communicating with B, or being in the vicinity of his home or school, except as otherwise provided. Supervised time with the mother at a children's contact centre was ordered, with costs to be shared equally. The court also directed the provision of its reasons and specific instructions to the contact centre and mandated the completion of intake requirements. The particulars of the obligations and consequences of contravention were to be set out in an attached Fact Sheet.