Osgood and Follett

In the Federal Circuit Court, Judge Harland presided over proceedings involving Mr Osgood (the applicant father) and Ms Follett (the respondent mother) concerning their child, [X]. The dispute centred on the recovery of the child and interim parenting arrangements. The court was required to determine whether to issue a recovery order for the child, establish interim living and communication arrangements, and address the procedural matters concerning the respondent mother's absence from court.

The court considered the provisions of sections 67U and 67Q of the *Family Law Act 1975* in relation to the recovery of the child. It also had to determine appropriate interim parenting orders, including where the child should live, the nature of contact between the child and the respondent mother, and the father's responsibilities regarding the child's schooling and medical care. Furthermore, the court addressed the issue of substituted service on the respondent mother and the implications of potential family violence allegations under section 102NA of the Act.

Applying the relevant sections of the *Family Law Act 1975*, the court issued a recovery order authorising law enforcement officers to find and recover the child, [X], and deliver the child to the applicant father. The court also made interim orders for the child to live with the applicant father, with the child's face-to-face time with the respondent mother to be reserved and telephone communication to be monitored by the father. The court discharged all previous parenting orders and ordered that the matter proceed ex parte in the absence of the respondent mother. Substituted service arrangements were put in place for future court documents. The court also noted the provisions regarding family violence and cross-examination of parties, and the obligations and consequences of contravening the orders. The proceedings were adjourned for a mention hearing and a directions hearing.