Parsons and Prendergast (No. 9)

In *Parsons and Prendergast (No. 9)*, Guest J of the Family Court of Australia was required to make orders concerning the preparation of an updated family report. The proceedings involved the husband and wife, and the welfare of their child, born in February 2000.

The central legal issue before the court was the scope and content of the updated family report, specifically what matters the family consultant, Ms K, should investigate and report upon. This involved determining the specific areas of the child's life and experiences that were relevant to the current proceedings and required further inquiry.

Guest J directed that Ms K prepare an updated family report as a matter of urgency. The report was to include specific inquiries of the child regarding her school drop-off and pick-up arrangements, the circumstances of a particular haircut, the cleanliness of both parents' homes, her general activities, sleeping arrangements, the quality of meals provided, and issues concerning her personal hygiene. The court also allowed for other appropriate matters to be investigated by Ms K, as deemed necessary by the Family Consultant. The Independent Children's Lawyer was directed to inform Ms K of these orders, and the preparation of the order was to be expedited.