30 (1) The court before which an application is brought for a parenting order or contact order with respect to a child, by order, may appoint a person who has technical or professional skill to assess and report to the court on the needs of the child and the ability and willingness of the parties or any of them to satisfy the needs of the child.  R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, s. 30 (1); 2020, c. 25, Sched. 1, s. 8 (1). When order may be made (2) An order may be made under subsection (1) on or before the hearing of the application and with or without a request by a party to the application.  R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, s. 30 (2); 2020, c. 25, Sched. 1, s. 8 (2). Agreement by parties (3) The court shall, if possible, appoint a person agreed upon by the parties, but if the parties do not agree the court shall choose and appoint the person.  R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, s. 30 (3). Consent to act (4) The court shall not appoint a person under subsection (1) unless the person has consented to make the assessment and to report to the court within the period of time specified by the court.  R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, s. 30 (4). Attendance for assessment (5) In an order under subsection (1), the court may require the parties, the child and any other person who has been given notice of the proposed order, or any of them, to attend for assessment by the person appointed by the order.  R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, s. 30 (5). Refusal to attend (6) Where a person ordered under this section to attend for assessment refuses to attend or to undergo the assessment, the court may draw such inferences in respect of the ability and willingness of any person to satisfy the needs of the child as the court considers appropriate.  R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, s. 30 (6). Report (7) The person appointed under subsection (1) shall file his or her report with the clerk of the court.  R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, s. 30 (7); 2009, c. 11, s. 13 (1). Copies of report (8) The clerk of the court shall give a copy of the report to each of the parties and to counsel, if any, representing the child.  R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, s. 30 (8); 2009, c. 11, s. 13 (2). Admissibility of report (9) The report mentioned in subsection (7) is admissible in evidence in the application.  R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, s. 30 (9). Assessor may be witness (10) Any of the parties, and counsel, if any, representing the child, may require the person appointed under subsection (1) to attend as a witness at the hearing of the application.  R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, s. 30 (10). Directions (11) Upon motion, the court by order may give such directions in respect of the assessment as the court considers appropriate.  R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, s. 30 (11). Fees and expenses (12) The court shall require the parties to pay the fees and expenses of the person appointed under subsection (1).  R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, s. 30 (12). Same, proportions or amounts (13) The court shall specify in the order the proportions or amounts of the fees and expenses that the court requires each party to pay.  R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, s. 30 (13). Same, serious financial hardship (14) The court may relieve a party from responsibility for payment of any of the fees and expenses of the person appointed under subsection (1) where the court is satisfied that payment would cause serious financial hardship to the party.  R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, s. 30 (14). Other expert evidence (15) The appointment of a person under subsection (1) does not prevent the parties or counsel representing the child from submitting other expert evidence as to the needs of the child and the ability and willingness of the parties or any of them to satisfy the needs of the child.  R.S.O. 1990, c. C.12, s. 30 (15). Section amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1990, c. C.12,s. 81 - see: Table of Public Statute Provisions Repealed Under Section 10.1 of the Legislation Act, 2006 - 31/12/2011 2009, c. 11, s. 13 (1, 2) - 14/05/2009 2020, c. 25, Sched. 1, s. 8 (1, 2) - 01/03/2021