Sonner and Butin

In the matter of Sonner and Butin, Brown J of the Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the time a child, S, would spend with her father. The dispute centred on arrangements for S's time with her father, including the conditions and supervision of that time, and the involvement of therapeutic services.

The court was required to determine the appropriate interim parenting arrangements for S, specifically addressing the father's time with the child, the necessity and nature of supervision, collection and return protocols, and the participation of both parents in counselling. Further issues included the preparation of a Family Report and the parties' attendance at a trial notice listing. The court also considered the father's application for leave to issue subpoenas to various entities, including government departments, medical providers, and the police.

Brown J ordered that S spend supervised time with her father on Sundays and Wednesdays, with supervision to be provided by the paternal grandmother. Specific arrangements were made for the collection and return of S, requiring the father to be absent from the collection point. The court also directed both parents to participate in therapy or counselling with the Australian Childhood Foundation, as advised by the Foundation, to address S's needs and improve parenting strategies. The father was granted leave to issue subpoenas to a range of medical and government bodies, and a Family Report was ordered to be prepared. The matter was adjourned for a trial notice listing.