Mettrick & Mettrick (No. 2)

In *Mettrick & Mettrick (No. 2)*, Bennett J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application concerning family law matters, specifically relating to communication between a father and his children. The proceedings involved the father, the mother, and the children B, C, and D.

The court was required to determine whether to suspend the father's existing telephone communication with the children and to restrain him from any other form of communication with them until a further adjourned date. The court also needed to make arrangements for the mother to attend final submissions by video link and for a family consultant to be available for cross-examination.

Applying principles of child welfare and the court's power to make interim orders, Bennett J ordered the suspension of the father's telephone communication with the children for the upcoming weekend. Furthermore, the father was restrained from any other form of communication with the children, including electronic means, until the adjourned date. The court also directed that the family consultant attend for cross-examination and made arrangements for the mother to participate in the final submissions via video link. The reasons for the decision were to be transcribed and provided to the parties, with a fact sheet detailing the obligations and consequences of contravening the orders attached.