AYTON & ESSEX

In the matter of *Ayton & Essex*, Judge McGuire of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia considered an application concerning communication between a father and his children, X and Y. The dispute centred on the terms and frequency of contact the father could have with the children, who were residing with their mother.

The court was required to determine the appropriate arrangements for the children to communicate with their father. This involved establishing the permissible methods of communication, the frequency of such contact, and the responsibilities of the mother in facilitating and managing this communication. The court also had to consider whether to continue or discharge an existing order appointing an Independent Children’s Lawyer.

Judge McGuire ordered that the father could communicate with the children no more than once per calendar month via letter, card, or gift, which the mother was permitted to review before passing on. The mother was to encourage the children to reply within seven days. Additional communications were permitted at Christmas and on the children's birthdays. The court also ordered that previous orders from 18 July 2012 remain in effect and discharged the order appointing the Independent Children’s Lawyer.