Pullman and Pullman

In the matter of *Pullman and Pullman*, Tree J considered applications for interim orders concerning the welfare of a child born in 2004. The dispute involved the parents' competing claims regarding the child's living arrangements, parental responsibility, and communication with each parent. The court was tasked with determining the most appropriate interim arrangements to safeguard the child's best interests pending final resolution of the proceedings.

The central legal issues before the court were: (1) with whom the child should live and who should have sole parental responsibility; (2) the nature and extent of the mother's communication with the child; (3) whether the mother should be prohibited from removing the child from the father's care or from attending certain institutions; (4) the child's ongoing participation in therapeutic services and the father's responsibility for arranging psychiatric assessments; and (5) the extent to which the mother should be restrained from contacting the child's service providers. The court also considered the appointment of an Independent Children's Lawyer and the preparation of various reports.

Tree J made orders that the child live with the father and that he have sole parental responsibility. The mother was permitted limited supervised communication with the child via Skype or telephone. Crucially, the mother was prohibited from removing the child from the father's care or from any educational or therapeutic institutions the child attended. The father was directed to ensure the child continued attending "C Group," arranged for a psychiatric assessment of the child, and kept the mother informed of the child's treating professionals. The mother was restrained from contacting the child's service providers. The court also ordered the appointment of an Independent Children's Lawyer to facilitate the preparation of a Family Report and psychiatric assessments of both parents. The remaining applications for interim orders were dismissed.