Mouli and Mulham (No. 2)

In *Mouli and Mulham (No. 2)*, Justice Cronin of the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia made orders concerning the care arrangements for two young children, M and I, born in May 2006, and the ongoing proceedings between their parents. The dispute involved applications relating to the children's welfare and the conduct of the litigation.

The court was required to determine the interim arrangements for the children's time with their father, including the method of collection and return, and to address the husband's need for support in caring for the children. Additionally, the court considered orders restraining the wife from leaving the children in the care of her father, despite her denial of any need for such an order. The court also had to decide on the future conduct of the proceedings, including the transfer of outstanding applications and the attendance of the parties at a conciliation conference.

Justice Cronin ordered that all outstanding applications be transferred to the Federal Magistrates Court for listing in a directions list. The father was granted specific weekend time with the children, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm each Saturday and Sunday, commencing 29 March 2008, with collection and return to occur outside the wife's residence. The father was permitted to seek assistance from his extended family if he felt uncomfortable with his capacity to care for the children, and was ordered to contact the wife immediately if he was unable to cope with their care. The wife was restrained from leaving the children alone in the care of her father. The court also ordered that the husband be notified immediately upon the birth of the child the wife was carrying, and that both parties attend a conciliation conference and exchange documents for inspection by specified dates. All other interim applications were dismissed.