Rabkin and Edsall

The case of *Rabkin and Edsall* involved an application before Hogan J concerning parenting orders for a child. The dispute centred on the arrangements for the child's time with the father, the father's conduct towards the child, and the management of sensitive court documents.

The court was required to determine the specific terms of the child's time with the father, including the duration and supervision of that time. Additionally, the court needed to address the father's use of physical discipline and the secure storage of court documents to prevent the child's access. The court also considered the provision of various expert reports and documents to a psychologist involved in the child's counselling, and the communication of court orders to the child's school.

Hogan J made orders suspending previous arrangements and establishing new, supervised time for the child with the father during specific school holiday periods and a short period in April 2018. The paternal grandmother was designated to collect and return the child and to supervise the father's time with the child. The father was explicitly prohibited from using physical discipline. The court also ordered that all parties ensure court documents and related materials were kept in a secure place inaccessible to the child. By consent, the parents were ordered to attend counselling with Ms M, and leave was granted to the Independent Children’s Lawyer to provide specific expert reports and court documents to Ms M and the child's school, pursuant to section 121 of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). Further orders set strict timelines for the filing and service of affidavit material, financial statements, and minutes of orders for a resumed hearing. The court also directed that interlocutory applications be brought to the attention of Justice Hogan promptly.