Munroe & Purdue (No 2)

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia considered an application by a mother for the release of a single expert report concerning her children to her treating psychiatrist, psychologist, and general practitioner.

The central legal issue before the court was whether exceptional circumstances existed to justify the release of the single expert report to the mother's treating medical professionals.

Aldridge J determined that such an order would only be made in exceptional circumstances and found that the present case did not meet that threshold. The court reasoned that the purpose of a single expert report is to assist the court, and its disclosure to third parties, even medical professionals, requires a strong justification beyond the mere desire of a party to share it with their treating practitioners. The court concluded that it was not appropriate to make the requested order.

The application for the release of the single expert report was dismissed.