If the parents are unable to agree on a comprehensive parenting plan, legal counsel will normally refer them to a Parenting Coordinator, likely a psychologist:, to work out a parenting plan. The Parenting Coordinator will also likely continue supporting he parents and the children for the implementation or variation of the parenting plan.
In more serious cases the Court can order what is known as a Practice Note 7 intervention where the psychologist will interview the parents and the child(ren) to determine the best method of resolving a parenting dispute, while providing information, resources, and counselling services.
In extreme cases, the Court can order what is known as a Practice Note 8 bi-lateral assessment, which is a thorough investigation in the family history, psychological testing of the parents and the child(ren) if appropriate, resulting in recommendations to the Court for the best parenting arrangement for the child(ren). This recommendation is non-binding on the Court, but is usually given serious consideration.
