Mills and Petrucci

In the matter of *Mills and Petrucci*, Berman J of the Family Court of Australia determined the parenting arrangements for a child born in 2008. The dispute concerned the level of involvement the father should have in the child's life, including contact, communication, and access to information.

The court was required to determine the extent of parental responsibility, where the child should live, whether the father should spend any time with the child, and the conditions under which the father might receive information about the child or initiate contact. Additionally, the court considered the appropriateness of an injunction restraining the father from approaching or communicating with the child and associated school personnel, and the notification requirements in the event of a medical emergency. The discharge of the Independent Children's Lawyer and the removal of proceedings from the pending list were also matters before the court.

Berman J ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the child and that the child live with the mother. The father was ordered to spend no time with the child. The court granted the father liberty to obtain school reports and photographs at his own expense, with the mother to provide necessary authorities to the school. Crucially, the father was restrained by injunction from approaching, communicating with, or coming into contact with the child or any school personnel, except as permitted by the order regarding school reports. The mother was also ordered to notify the father of any significant or life-threatening medical emergency concerning the child, but the father was restrained from contacting any treating medical professionals. The appointment of the Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged, and all proceedings were removed from the pending list.