Leighton and Carey

This matter came before Jordan J concerning parenting orders. The applicant and respondent, identified as the Father and Mother respectively, were involved in a dispute regarding their child.

The court was required to determine the terms of interim parenting arrangements, including the nature and supervision of the child's time with the Father. Further issues included the role of a Family Consultant in explaining the proceedings to the child and in supervising parental compliance with the orders, as well as the reporting obligations of the Family Consultant to the court. The court also considered the need to prevent discussion of the proceedings with the child and to inform the parties of their obligations and the consequences of contravention.

Jordan J ordered an adjournment for further hearing, granting the parties leave to appear by telephone. The court made interim orders for supervised time between the Father and the child, to be agreed upon by the parties and the Independent Children’s Lawyer. A Family Consultant was directed to attend upon the child to explain her circumstances and to provide assistance to the parents in complying with the orders, with a report to be furnished to the court. The court also ordered that the parents and any third parties refrain from discussing the proceedings with the child and directed that the particulars of the orders, obligations, consequences of contravention, and sources of assistance be set out in an attached Fact Sheet.