Mitchell and Mitchell

In the matter of *Mitchell and Mitchell*, Austin J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application for contravention of court orders. The dispute concerned allegations that the respondent father had contravened orders previously made on 12 April 2019.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the respondent father had contravened the existing orders, and if so, what orders should be made in response to those contraventions. The court was required to determine the nature and extent of any proven contraventions and apply the relevant provisions of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) concerning contraventions.

Austin J found that the respondent father had contravened the orders on two occasions, as specified in Counts 1 and 2 of the Application-Contravention. Applying Subdivision E of Division 13A of Part VII of the *Family Law Act 1975*, the court ordered that the respondent father enter into two Good Behaviour Bonds, each for a period of six months, to be served concurrently. These bonds were to be without surety or security, and the father was required to remain of good behaviour, including compliance with all existing and future orders made under the *Family Law Act 1975*. The court otherwise dismissed the Application-Contravention and made no order as to costs.