Markwell and Solberg and Anor (No.3)

In *Markwell and Solberg and Anor (No.3)*, heard by Judge Hughes, the proceedings concerned applications made by the mother, including an application for the recusal of Judge Hughes, and applications filed on 15 December 2020 and 10 March 2021. The court also considered a contravention application filed by the mother on 10 March 2021.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether to grant the mother leave to further amend her applications, whether to recuse Judge Hughes from hearing the matter, and the appropriate orders regarding the notification of child welfare authorities and the dissemination of court documents. The court was also required to determine the fate of the mother's applications filed in December 2020 and March 2021, and the transfer of her contravention application.

Judge Hughes dismissed the mother's application for recusal. The court granted the mother leave to orally further amend her applications. Crucially, Order 8 of the existing orders was amended to require any parent notifying authorities of potential child abuse or neglect to simultaneously provide copies of specific court orders and reasons for judgment. Furthermore, pursuant to section 68B of the *Family Law Act 1975*, parties were restrained from providing copies of the 30 June 2020 orders or reasons for decision to any other person without court authorisation. The father was directed to obtain a copy of the 30 June 2020 reasons for decision to clarify his authority to provide them to specific agencies.

The mother's applications filed on 15 December 2020 and 10 March 2021 were dismissed. The mother's contravention application filed on 10 March 2021 was transferred to another Judge for hearing.