SEDGLEY & CHARTON

In this interim hearing before Judge M Neville, the mother sought sole parental responsibility for the children, alleging the father posed a risk to their safety due to his mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and that his time with the children should be supervised. The father opposed supervised time, arguing it would jeopardise his relationship with the children.

The court was required to determine whether the children were at risk of harm in the father's care and, consequently, whether to grant the mother sole parental responsibility on an interim basis, order that the children live with the mother, and mandate supervised time between the father and the children.

The court reasoned that the mother's concerns regarding the father's mental health and suicidal ideation warranted protective measures for the children. Applying principles of child welfare and safety, the court determined that supervised time was necessary to mitigate any potential risk. The court ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility and that the children live with her. The father's time with the children was to be supervised by B Contact Centre, with the father bearing all associated costs. Specific supervised contact times were detailed, and further orders were made regarding communication between the parties, notification of injury or illness, and changes of address. An Independent Children’s Lawyer was appointed for the children.