TORBECK & STABLES

In the matter of *Torbeck & Stables*, Hogan J of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia considered an application concerning a child, X, born in 2017. The dispute involved the parents' differing views on medical treatment for the child, specifically in relation to immunisation.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether to grant leave for the parents to provide a copy of a previous court order to medical practitioners attending the child. The Court was also required to determine the fate of an application filed by one parent and a response filed by the other, and to consider whether to retain liberty to apply on the specific issue of immunisation.

Hogan J's reasoning focused on the practicalities of ensuring medical practitioners were aware of existing court orders concerning the child's care. By granting leave to provide a copy of the order, the Court facilitated the child's access to medical care while acknowledging the ongoing parental dispute. The Court dismissed the substantive applications filed by the parents, indicating that the existing orders were sufficient for the time being, but preserved the ability for parties to seek further orders specifically regarding immunisation.

Consequently, Hogan J ordered that the parents have leave to provide a copy of the existing order to any medical practitioner attending the child. The application and response filed by the parents were dismissed, save for the specific issue of immunisation, in relation to which the parties were granted liberty to apply upon 24 hours' written notice.