Bangi and Belov (No 2)

In the matter of *Bangi and Belov (No 2)*, Hannam J of the Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the living arrangements and time spent between a child and his parents. The dispute centred on the arrangements for the child's residence and contact with his father, as well as broader issues of parental conduct and the child's well-being.

The court was required to determine the primary residence of the child, the specific arrangements for the child to spend time with his father, and the locations for changeovers between parents. Further issues included the facilitation of a contact service, the continuation of the child's therapeutic counselling, and the sharing of associated fees. The court also addressed the critical issue of parental communication and conduct towards each other and the child, including restrictions on disparaging remarks and harassment. Finally, the court considered the use of physical discipline on the child.

Hannam J ordered that the child live with the mother and spend time with the father each Saturday, with specific changeover arrangements at a contact service or a designated restaurant. The court mandated that both parents cooperate with the intake process for the contact service and ensure the child continues therapeutic counselling. Crucially, the mother was restrained from changing the child's school during an adjournment period. The parents were also restrained from making derogatory remarks about each other to the child, or permitting others to do so, and from harassing or intimidating each other. Furthermore, both parents were prohibited from using any physical discipline on the child. The matter was adjourned for further submissions.