Verdin and Verdin

In the matter of *Verdin and Verdin*, Rees J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application concerning the parenting arrangements for two children. The proceedings involved the father seeking to re-establish communication with his children, following the discharge of interim orders made in May 2017.

The central legal issues before the court were the extent to which the father should be permitted to communicate with the children, and the specific obligations of both parents to facilitate such communication. The court was required to determine the practical mechanisms for communication, including the exchange of addresses, the handling of correspondence and gifts, and the provision of school-related information. Furthermore, the court had to consider the notification requirements in the event of a child's serious injury or illness.

Rees J reasoned that it was in the children's best interests to permit the father to communicate with them through written means, such as email and postal mail, for special occasions and at other times. To achieve this, the court imposed reciprocal obligations on both parents to keep each other informed of their addresses. The mother was directed to pass on all communications from the father to the children and to use her best endeavours to ensure the children engaged with them, and to facilitate the children's responses if they chose. The court also ordered that school principals provide the father with copies of materials usually sent to parents, and that the mother notify the father immediately of any serious injury or illness affecting the children. These obligations were to be understood in conjunction with the particulars set out in a Fact Sheet, as provided for by Sections 65DA(2) and 62B of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).