Peters and Richards (No 3)

In *Peters and Richards (No 3)*, the Family Court of Australia considered an application by the father (the Respondent Father) for a Family Report to be prepared in proceedings concerning parenting orders. The mother (the Applicant) resisted this application. The Court noted that the father had previously pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of the mother and the subject children.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether to order the preparation of a Family Report, given the father's conviction for attempted murder of the mother and children, and the potential risks associated with such a report. The Court was required to consider the provisions of s 62G of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) and balance the potential benefits of a report against any risks of harm.

Bell J found that the risk of harm to the children in the preparation of a Family Report would outweigh any benefit such a report might provide to the substantive proceedings. Consequently, the father's application for a Family Report was dismissed. The Court also made directions for the trial, including setting a trial date, ordering the father's personal attendance at court, and requiring the parties to file updated case information.