MEDWOOD & PEDERSON

This matter concerned an application before Judge Burchardt in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. The dispute involved parenting arrangements for a child, X, born in 2019, between the mother and the father.

The court was required to determine several legal issues, including the independent representation of the child X, the attendance of the parties and the child for a family consultant's assessment, and the making of interim consent orders regarding X's living arrangements and time with each parent. The court also needed to address the provision of documents to the Independent Children's Lawyer and the use of a specific communication application between the parents.

In its reasoning, the court applied provisions of the *Family Law Act 1975*, including section 68L(2) for the appointment of an Independent Children's Lawyer and section 11F for the family consultant's assessment. The court also made interim orders by consent in accordance with minutes signed by the parties, pursuant to Rule 13.04 of the *Federal Circuit Court Rules 2001*. The court further directed the filing of a clean, certified, electronic copy of the minutes and noted particulars regarding obligations, consequences of contravention, and provisions relating to family violence and cross-examination of parties under sections 65DA(2) and 62B of the *Family Law Act 1975*, and section 102NA of the *Family Law Act 1975*.

The court made interim orders by consent, including that X live with her mother and spend specified time with her father. Further orders mandated the use of the "Family Wizard" application for communication, the notification of address and contact detail changes, the provision of healthcare information, attendance at a post-separation parenting course, and an injunction restraining denigration of the other parent. The matter was adjourned for mention.