Baxter and Porter

In the matter of Baxter and Porter, heard by Justice Cronin, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for two children, J and C. The court was required to make orders regarding the children's living arrangements and the conduct of further proceedings.

The central legal issues before the court were the interim living arrangements for the children, the appropriate forum for the final determination of parenting matters, and the need for independent representation for the children. The court also considered the procedural steps necessary to facilitate the resolution of these issues.

Justice Cronin ordered that the children J and C would live with the husband and wife respectively, pending further order. All outstanding applications of an interim nature were dismissed. The court directed that all outstanding applications be transferred to the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia sitting at Hobart for a final hearing. To assist in this process, a family report was ordered, and the children J and C were to be separately represented by an Independent Children’s Lawyer, with the Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania requested to arrange this representation. The parties were directed to provide all relevant documents to the Independent Children’s Lawyer upon their appointment.