HARTLAND & HARTLAND

In the matter of *Hartland & Hartland*, heard by Judge Brown, the dispute concerned interim parenting arrangements for two young children, aged seven and six. The proceedings involved allegations of family violence and the assessment of risk to the children.

The court was required to determine the appropriate interim parenting orders, considering the children's best interests in circumstances where an intervention order was in place. Key issues included the nature of interim hearings in family law, the assessment of risk, and how to balance the children's right to spend time with their father against the need for their protection.

Judge Brown reasoned that while the intervention order reflected a serious concern for the mother's safety, the court's primary focus in interim parenting proceedings was the children's welfare. The court considered the specific allegations of family violence and their potential impact on the children. To facilitate supervised contact, the court ordered that the father spend time with the children each Sunday, with specific handover arrangements involving the mother's brother for the initial visits. The court also varied the existing intervention order to permit these specific contact arrangements and imposed an injunction restraining the father from having other persons present during his time with the children. A family report was ordered to assist in future determinations, and the matter was adjourned for a trial date to be allocated.