Dr. Dilys Haner

The applicant father brought a motion for an interim parenting order to remove the children from the respondent mother's primary care, alleging parental alienation.

The father sought sole decision-making responsibility and enrollment in a therapeutic program to repair his relationship with the children.

The mother and the Office of the Children's Lawyer opposed the motion, citing the children's strong wishes not to have contact with the father.

The court found that the issue of alienation was a triable issue and that a custody reversal was not in the children's best interests at this stage.

The motion was dismissed, the trial was expedited, and an order was made for the children to commence written email communication with the father with the assistance of their counsellor.

The applicant father brought a motion for non-compliance against the respondent mother regarding her failure to obey court orders relating to parenting time, therapy for the children, her own therapy, and costs.

The mother brought a cross-motion alleging the father failed to pay child support arrears.

The court found the mother non-compliant with multiple orders, noting her ongoing alienating behaviour and failure to facilitate the children's relationship with the father.

The mother's cross-motion was dismissed as no arrears were owed.

The court ordered specific remedies under Rule 1(8) of the Family Law Rules, including the resumption of virtual parenting time, the appointment of specific therapists for the children, and an order restricting the mother from bringing further motions without leave of the court.