Re Isaac

The case of *Re Isaac* concerned an application brought before Cronin J in the Family Court of Australia. The primary dispute revolved around the medical decision-making authority for the child, Isaac, and the publication of identifying details related to the proceedings.

The court was required to determine who should have sole parental responsibility for medical decisions concerning Isaac. Additionally, the court had to consider the extent to which the identities of the parties and specific details of the case, including the court's file number and reasons for judgment, should be protected from publication. The court also had to decide on the conditions under which the court file and documents could be accessed by non-parties.

Cronin J reasoned that it was in Isaac's best interests for him to have sole parental responsibility for all medical decisions concerning himself. The court also made extensive orders to anonymise the proceedings, prohibiting the publication of any details that could identify the applicant child, the court's file number, or any reasons for judgment or orders other than an anonymised version. Access to the court file and the release of documents to non-parties were restricted, requiring leave of a judge, with a specific liberty granted to the applicant to provide unanonymised orders and reasons to health professionals involved in Isaac's care.

Ultimately, the court ordered that Isaac have sole parental responsibility for medical decisions concerning himself and that the proceedings be anonymised as "Re Isaac". The application filed on 27 November 2014 was otherwise dismissed.