Auden and Purtle

In the matter of Auden and Purtle, Justice Cronin of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia considered parenting applications concerning two children, B and C. The dispute involved the living arrangements and schooling of the children.

The court was required to determine the interim living arrangements for the children, the continuation of their existing schooling arrangements, and the further conduct of the proceedings, including the filing of affidavit material and the attendance of a Dr E for cross-examination.

Justice Cronin ordered that the children live with the father and mother on a week-about basis, with changeovers occurring on Friday evenings. The existing schooling arrangements were to remain unchanged. The final hearing was adjourned to a later date, with directions given for the filing of further affidavit material. The court also made specific orders regarding the provision of its reasons for judgment to Dr D and Dr E, and the conditions for Dr E's attendance for cross-examination. Provisions were also made for the Independent Children’s Lawyer to share the reasons for judgment with relevant government departments and police. The orders included particulars of obligations and consequences of contravention, as set out in an attached Fact Sheet.