Roden & Anor and Hipsley & Anor

This case involved applications concerning the welfare of a child, L, born in September 1998. The primary parties were the child's father and mother, with the maternal grandmother and maternal uncle also participating in the proceedings. The dispute centred on arrangements for L's living situation, time spent with the mother and other family members, communication, and attendance at school. Justice Fowler presided over the matter.

The court was required to determine the primary residence of the child, the terms and conditions under which the mother, maternal grandmother, and maternal uncle would spend time with the child, and the nature and extent of communication between the child and these family members. Further issues included restrictions on contact with the child's school, communication about the proceedings, and the sharing of costs associated with supervised contact. The court also considered provisions for the child's welfare, including medical care and school reporting.

Justice Fowler ordered that the child, L, live with the father. The mother, maternal uncle, and maternal grandmother were significantly restrained from attending the child's school and from contacting the child directly, with specific exceptions for supervised contact and participation in school events where parental attendance is permitted. Time spent with the mother was to commence under supervision at a contact service, with potential for extension and increased contact if certain conditions were met. Communication between the child and the mother, maternal grandmother, and maternal uncle was to be supervised, and all parties were restrained from discussing the proceedings with the child or making derogatory remarks about other parties in the child's presence. The court also made detailed orders regarding the sharing of costs for supervised contact and provisions for the father to keep the mother informed of the child's welfare.