Baker and Pickard

In the matter of *Baker and Pickard*, heard by Judge Halligan, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for two children, X and Y. The parties involved were the children's parents, Ms Pickard and Mr Baker.

The court was required to determine the terms of parenting orders, specifically addressing issues of parental responsibility, the children's living arrangements, and the time each parent would spend with the children. The court also had to consider provisions for communication between parents and children, the exchange of information regarding the children's well-being and activities, and restrictions on discussing proceedings or denigrating the other parent in the children's presence.

Judge Halligan ordered the discharge of all prior parenting orders. The court established equal shared parental responsibility for both parents. The children were ordered to live with the mother, Ms Pickard, who was restrained from relocating them more than 75 kilometres from the relevant Central Business District. Specific provisions were made for the children to spend time with the father, Mr Baker, including alternate weekends, a week during school holidays in Terms 1, 2, and 3, and two weeks during the Christmas holidays, with detailed arrangements for changeovers. The orders also included provisions for facilitating communication between the children and the non-resident parent, sharing information about the children's health and activities, and mutual consultation on extra-curricular participation. Finally, both parents were restrained from discussing the proceedings or denigrating each other or their extended families in the children's presence.