Berkeley and Berkeley

In Berkeley and Berkeley, heard before Judge Willis, the court was asked to determine parenting orders concerning three children. The dispute involved the allocation of parental responsibility and the specific living arrangements and time spent between the children and each parent.

The primary legal issues before the court were the extent of each parent's responsibility for making long-term decisions regarding the children's upbringing, including their education, religious and cultural development, health, and names. The court also had to determine the day-to-day care arrangements and the specific periods each parent would spend with the children during school terms, school holidays, and on special days, considering the context of domestic violence counselling for the mother.

Judge Willis discharged all previous parenting orders and made new orders. The father was granted sole responsibility for major long-term issues concerning the children, with a requirement to consult the mother in writing at least 21 days before making such decisions, allowing her 14 days to respond. Notwithstanding this, the court ordered that the mother would be responsible for the children's day-to-day care when they were with her, and the father when they were with him. The children were ordered to live with the father, with specific provisions for the mother to spend time with them on alternate weekends, Wednesdays, and during school holidays, subject to her enrolment in and attendance at domestic violence counselling and the filing of an affidavit confirming compliance. The court also made detailed orders regarding the children's time with each parent on special days, including birthdays.