Hamad & Hamad

In the matter of *Hamad & Hamad*, heard in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, Justice B Smith made orders concerning the parenting arrangements for a child, X, born in 2015. The proceedings involved Mr Hamad (the Applicant Father) and Ms Hamad (the Respondent Mother). The court's orders set aside previous orders made by Senior Registrar Campbell on 1 April 2021, and established new arrangements for the child's care and contact with the parents.

The court was required to determine the interim parenting arrangements for the child, X, in circumstances involving serious allegations of family violence, including the forced prostitution of the mother by the father. Key issues included the allocation of parental responsibility, the extent of time the father would spend with the child, and the prevention of the child's removal from Australia. The court also considered the need for a Family Report to assess various factors relevant to the child's welfare and the parents' circumstances, as well as the appropriate forum for the proceedings.

Justice B Smith reasoned that, given the extremely serious allegations and the complexity of the matter, it was appropriate to grant the Applicant Mother sole parental responsibility and order that the Respondent Father have no time with the child. The court also imposed an injunction restraining either party from removing the child from Australia and requested the Australian Federal Police place the child on the Family Law Watchlist. Furthermore, the court ordered the parties and the child to attend an assessment for a Family Report, pursuant to section 62G(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), to consider factors under sections 60CC and 65DAA, among other matters. The proceedings were transferred to the Family Court of Australia for further directions, with the court noting the potential for expedition due to the interim no-contact order.