Watson and Watson

This matter concerned proceedings between a mother and a grandmother regarding parenting orders for a child born in October 2005. The proceedings were before Bennett J.

The court was required to determine various issues relating to the interim care of the child, the appointment of an independent children's lawyer, the preparation of a family report, and the disclosure of medical and other records. The court also considered the timing of further affidavit material and the potential need for psychiatric assessments and parenting courses for the parties.

Bennett J made detailed orders concerning the child's residence with the mother and grandmother between the current date and the adjourned hearing. The court directed the equal sharing of costs for a family report to be prepared by a psychologist, Mr B, who was tasked with evaluating the parenting capacity of both the mother and the grandmother, their interaction with the child, and their ability to cooperate. The court also ordered the appointment of an independent children's lawyer, with urgent requests for subpoenas to be issued for relevant hospital and departmental records concerning the child, the grandmother, and the mother. The mother was directed to provide irrevocable authority for the release of her medical information to Mr B.

The proceedings were adjourned to the Senior Registrar on 18 December 2007. The court reserved the issue of whether the mother and grandmother ought to undergo psychiatric assessment and deferred consideration of parenting courses to the adjourned date. The court also outlined the consequences of contravening the orders made.