Robinson and Shannon (No. 3)

In *Robinson and Shannon (No. 3)*, Kent J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application by the Father. The dispute concerned the publication of family reports and other documents to a Mr S, and subsequently to the Office of Adult Guardian.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether to grant leave for the Independent Children’s Lawyer to publish certain family reports and a medical report to Mr S, and to authorise Mr S to further publish these documents to the Office of Adult Guardian, pursuant to section 121 of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). The court also had to determine the future procedural steps for the matter, including the adjournment of the Father's application and the vacation of a compliance hearing.

Kent J applied section 121 of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), which generally prohibits the publication of identifying information in family law proceedings. However, the section allows for exceptions where the court grants leave. In this instance, the court considered the specific circumstances and the need for disclosure to Mr S and the Office of Adult Guardian, presumably for the purpose of assessing the welfare of the children or the capacity of a party. The court also made consequential orders regarding the adjournment of the Father's application and the suspension of existing trial directions.

The court ordered that the Father's application be adjourned for further mention before the Principal Registrar on 28 August 2014, with parties permitted to appear via video link. The compliance hearing listed for 14 August 2014 was vacated. Crucially, the Independent Children’s Lawyer was granted leave to publish specified family and medical reports, along with the court's reasons for judgment and orders, to Mr S. Mr S was then authorised to publish these documents to the Office of Adult Guardian. Until further order, the times prescribed for filing material and other trial directions were suspended.