Hassam and Hassam

In the matter of *Hassam and Hassam*, Johnston J made parenting orders concerning the child Y Hassam. The dispute involved the father's relationship with his child, and the orders reflect a significant restriction on the father's involvement in the child's life.

The court was required to determine the appropriate parenting arrangements for the child, including issues of parental responsibility, where the child would live, and the extent of the child's contact with the father. The court also considered orders relating to communication between the father and child, restraints on the father's proximity to the child and mother, the provision of school reports, the removal of the child from Australia, and the child's surname. Finally, the court addressed the costs associated with an Independent Child Lawyer.

Johnston J ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the child, and that the child live with her mother. Crucially, the child was ordered to spend no time with her father. The father was permitted to send cards to the child on specific occasions, care of the maternal grandparents, and the mother was to ensure the child received them. Otherwise, the father was prohibited from any communication with the child. The father was also restrained from approaching within 100 metres of the child or her mother, and was prohibited from seeking or attending at any known location of the child or mother. The mother was ordered to forward redacted school reports to the father. The child was restrained from leaving Australia, with the Australian Federal Police to assist in implementing this order by placing the child on the Watch List. The child was to continue to be known by the surname Hassam. The father was ordered to pay $2000 towards the Independent Child Lawyer's costs.