AMBERSLEY & SEDRICK

In the matter of AMBERSLEY & SEDRICK, heard by Judge Costigan, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for the parties' six-year-old child, who has been diagnosed with ADHD and exhibits learning and behavioural difficulties. The proceedings were marked by a poor parenting relationship and protracted litigation. The father sought equal shared parental responsibility, while the mother sought sole parental responsibility. Notably, the father abandoned his application for the child to live with him during cross-examination, and there was broad agreement regarding the child's time spent with the father. The mother also sought to change the child's surname and obtain authority to acquire a passport for the child.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate parenting orders for the child, considering the existing circumstances, including the child's specific needs and the history of the parental relationship. Key issues included whether the mother should have sole parental responsibility or if equal shared parental responsibility was appropriate, the specific arrangements for the child to spend time with the father, and whether the mother should be authorised to change the child's surname and obtain a passport without the father's consent.

The court ordered that all previous parenting orders be discharged and that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the child, with the child to live with the mother. The father was granted specific, detailed time with the child, with provisions for agreed arrangements or a defined schedule for weekends, school holidays, and special occasions. The court also authorised the mother to amend the child's registered name to "X Ambersley-Sedrick" and to obtain a passport for the child without the father's consent, citing relevant legislation. Further orders addressed communication between the parents, school access, and the father's enrolment in an anger management course.