Trower and Kirwan

This matter came before Judge Brown concerning the care, welfare, and development of a child, [X], born in 2008. The dispute involved the parents' arrangements for the child and arose in the context of family law proceedings.

The court was required to determine several key issues. These included the appointment of an Independent Children’s Lawyer to represent the child's interests, the necessity for the parties to attend a family dispute resolution conference, and the interim living and contact arrangements for the child. Additionally, the court needed to address concerns regarding drug and alcohol use, potential parental denigration, and the circumstances under which the child could undergo medical or psychiatric examinations.

In addressing these issues, the court made orders pursuant to sections 68L and 11F of the *Family Law Act 1975*. An Independent Children’s Lawyer was appointed to represent the child's interests, with solicitors directed to forward relevant documents to the Legal Services Commission of South Australia to facilitate this appointment. The parties were ordered to attend a family dispute resolution conference with a family consultant. Interim orders were made for the child to live with the mother and spend time with the father on specified days and times, with exchanges to occur at a police station foyer unless at school. The court also imposed injunctions restraining the parties from abusing each other in the child's presence, discussing proceedings with the child, and consuming alcohol or illicit drugs while the child was in their care or within 24 hours prior. The father was further restrained from arranging medical or psychiatric examinations of the child without the mother's written consent, except in emergencies. The matter was adjourned for further consideration.