Michael and Lodders

In proceedings before Cohen J, the dispute concerned the parenting arrangements for a child born in May 2003. The mother sought orders for spending time and having telephone contact with the child, while the father sought orders for the child to live with him and for him to have sole parental responsibility.

The court was required to determine the best interests of the child in light of the evidence presented, including complaints made against two expert witnesses, Dr W and Associate Professor R. The specific legal issues revolved around whether to grant the mother's application for contact and what living arrangements and parental responsibility orders were appropriate for the child.

Cohen J's reasoning led to the refusal of the mother's application for spending time and telephone contact. The court ordered that the child was to live with the father and have no contact with the mother, with the father to have sole parental responsibility. The mother was granted the right to receive school reports and the father was ordered to notify her of any serious medical conditions affecting the child. Additionally, copies of the judgment were to be provided to the expert witnesses, Dr W and Associate Professor R, for their use in any proceedings arising from complaints made against them concerning their expert roles in this matter. Costs were reserved for one month.