Lambard and Lambard & Ors (No 2)

In the matter of *Lambard and Lambard & Ors (No 2)*, his Honour McClelland DCJ considered issues arising from the mental health of the mother, Ms Lambard, in the context of proceedings involving her child. The dispute concerned the potential impact of Ms Lambard's mental health on her capacity to care for the child and the child's well-being.

The court was required to determine the extent to which Ms Lambard's mental health issues might pose a risk to the child, both physically and psychologically. Specifically, the court needed to ascertain whether her mental health had adversely affected her relationship with the child and her ability to meet the child's needs, including physical, emotional, and intellectual requirements. The court also sought to understand the mother's current diagnosis, prognosis, and the risk of relapse.

To address these issues, McClelland DCJ ordered the appointment of a single expert, Dr NN, to prepare a report on the mother's mental health. The parties were directed to provide Dr NN with a joint letter of instruction, requesting the expert to consider and comment on specific matters. These included an assessment of previous diagnoses and relapse risk, the mother's current diagnosis and prognosis, the risk of harm to the child due to the mother's mental health, the impact of mental health on the mother-child relationship, and the mother's capacity to provide for the child's needs. The expert was also invited to comment on any other relevant matters.