Hirst and Brunton

The case of *Hirst and Brunton* involved a dispute between a mother and father concerning their child, a daughter born in September 2002. The proceedings were before Young J.

The court was required to determine various issues relating to the child's living arrangements and the father's time with the child. Specifically, the court had to consider the terms of the father's contact, including the location and timing of changeovers, and the involvement of the father's fiancé. The court also needed to direct the preparation of an updated Family Report to investigate specific individuals and issues relevant to the child's welfare.

Young J made orders that the child live with the mother until further order. The father was granted supervised time with the child on alternate Sundays, with specific arrangements for changeovers at Flinders Street Railway Station. The father's fiancé was prohibited from being present at changeovers or during the father's time with the child. The court also ordered an updated Family Report to be prepared by a Family Consultant, who was directed to interview and investigate the father's fiancé, the mother's friend, and the mother's father. Further orders addressed punctuality for changeovers, notification of residential addresses, and the mother's obligation to inform the father of the child's significant health issues. The Independent Children's Lawyer was granted leave to inspect the father's fiancé's Family Court file and to issue subpoenas for information.