Bass & Mandel

In the matter of *Bass & Mandel*, heard before Bowrey J, the dispute concerned parenting orders for four children: W, born in 2014, X born in 2015, Y born in 2020, and Z born in 2021. The applicant was Ms Bass (the Mother) and the respondent was Mr Mandel (the Father).

The court was required to determine the living arrangements for the children and the allocation of parental responsibility. Specifically, the court considered whether to discharge previous orders and make new orders regarding where the children would live, who would have sole parental responsibility for long-term decisions, and the nature and extent of the children's time and communication with the Father.

Bowrey J ordered the discharge of all previous orders concerning the children. The court determined that the children shall live with the Mother and that the Mother shall have sole parental responsibility for making long-term decisions regarding the children, as defined by the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). The children are to spend time with the Father only after he provides a negative hair follicle drug test result, and such time is to be agreed in writing between the Mother and Father. Similarly, communication between the children and the Father by telephone or video call is to occur only as agreed in writing by the parties. All outstanding applications were dismissed, and the case was removed from the Active Pending Cases List.