PICTON & CROWLEY

In the matter of *Picton & Crowley*, heard before Judge Altobelli, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for a child, with the Father having filed two outstanding Applications in a Case. The case presented a lengthy litigation history marked by multiple interim applications and a significant indication that a final hearing would necessitate at least five days. The Father had advanced serious allegations regarding the safety of his son while under the Mother's care, notwithstanding interim orders made by Judge Kemp on 12 March 2015 returning the child to the Mother's care.

The central legal issues before the Court involved determining the appropriate parenting orders for the child, considering the serious allegations raised by the Father and the existing interim orders. A key consideration was the need for the Court to make definitive factual findings, as highlighted in a Single Joint Expert's Report dated 17 August 2015 provided by Dr H.

Judge Altobelli ordered that the matter be transferred to the Family Court in Sydney for inclusion in the Magellan list, and further requested that the final hearing be expedited if possible. This decision reflects the Court's recognition of the complexity and protracted nature of the proceedings, as well as the urgency implied by the serious allegations and the need for factual determinations.