Beardsley and Shelford

In the matter of *Beardsley and Shelford*, heard before Judge Middleton, the dispute concerned parenting orders for a child born in 2004. The specific nature of the dispute leading to the court's intervention is not detailed, but the orders reflect a resolution of issues concerning the child's residence, parental responsibility, and the nature of the child's contact with both parents.

The court was required to determine the living arrangements for the child, the allocation of parental responsibility, and the terms of the child's time and communication with each parent. Additionally, the court addressed provisions for the exchange of educational and welfare information, notification of serious incidents, prohibitions against denigration of a parent in the child's presence, and the use of physical discipline. The court also considered the father's liberty to communicate with the child and the child's liberty to communicate with the father.

Judge Middleton ordered that the child live with the mother and that the mother have sole parental responsibility. The child was to spend time and communicate with the father in accordance with the child's wishes. Further orders stipulated that both parties facilitate the exchange of school-related documents and notify each other of serious accidents or illnesses concerning the child. Crucially, neither party was permitted to denigrate the other in the child's presence, nor was physical discipline to be used on the child. The father was granted liberty to communicate in writing with the child monthly, and the child was at liberty to communicate with the father at any time, with the mother to facilitate such communication. All other outstanding applications were dismissed.