Bell & Quiroga

In the Family Court, Mr Bell applied for a contravention report against Ms Quiroga for allegedly contravening certain parenting orders. The orders, made on 4 April 2022, required Ms Quiroga to allow the applicant to have contact with the child on certain days. Ms Quiroga pleaded guilty to the contraventions but claimed a reasonable excuse. The court was required to determine whether Ms Quiroga had a reasonable excuse for contravening the orders and, if not, to impose an appropriate penalty. The court considered the evidence and submissions from both parties and concluded that Ms Quiroga did not establish a reasonable excuse for her actions. The court found her guilty of the contraventions and imposed a penalty of being of good behaviour for a period of twelve months. Additionally, the court ordered Ms Quiroga to pay the applicant's costs and for both parties to complete a parenting course. The court also varied the contact arrangements for the child.
The court found Ms Quiroga guilty of contravening the parenting orders on five separate occasions. Despite her guilty plea, the court determined that she did not provide a reasonable excuse for her actions. As a result, the court held her accountable for the contraventions and imposed a penalty. The penalty included a requirement for Ms Quiroga to be of good behaviour for a period of twelve months, pay the applicant's costs, and complete a parenting course. Furthermore, the court modified the contact arrangements for the child, stipulating specific times and locations for the applicant to spend time with the child. These orders aimed to ensure the child's well-being and facilitate a structured parenting arrangement.