B & O & M

In the matter of B & O & M, the court was presented with a dispute concerning the living arrangements and contact orders for two children, W B M and Z S P M. The dispute was between P S B (the father) and B P O (the mother), with additional contact sought by S M and P M (the grandparents). The case was adjudicated by the Family Court of Australia. The primary concern was to determine the living arrangements and contact rights for the children, as well as the logistics and costs associated with these arrangements.

The court was required to decide several key legal issues, including the primary residence of the children, the specific periods and conditions under which the mother would have contact with the children, the manner and frequency of communication between the children and their mother, and the contact arrangements with the grandparents. Additionally, the court had to address the financial responsibilities of the parties for the children's travel, the prohibition of denigration and discussion of the proceedings in the children's presence, and the exchange of contact information between the parents.

The court found that the children should live primarily with their father, with specific contact arrangements for the mother and the grandparents. The contact with the mother was set for four weeks during the mid-year school holidays and three weeks during the end-of-year holidays, with detailed provisions for determining the exact weeks. Weekly phone calls and email communications were also stipulated. The grandparents were granted contact during school terms and for four days during specific holiday periods. The court also addressed the financial aspects of the children's travel, requiring the mother to book the cheapest economy air tickets and share the costs equally with the father. The court further emphasised the importance of not discussing the proceedings in front of the children and mandated the exchange of contact information between the parents.

The court's final orders mandated that the children live with their father, established detailed contact schedules for the mother and grandparents, outlined the financial responsibilities for travel, prohibited denigration and discussion of the proceedings in the children's presence, and required the exchange of contact information. All other applications were dismissed.