BOND & MILLS

In the matter of *Bond & Mills*, Judge McGuire of the Family Court of Australia considered a dispute between the parents regarding the parenting arrangements for their child, X. The proceedings concerned the allocation of parental responsibility, the child's living arrangements, and the specific times the child would spend with each parent.

The court was required to determine the nature of parental responsibility, whether it should be equal or sole, and to establish a detailed schedule for the child's time with each parent. This included specifying arrangements for regular weekend and weekday time, school holidays, public holidays, and significant dates such as birthdays and religious festivals. The court also needed to address communication between the parents and the child, the exchange of information regarding the child's health and education, and prohibitions on certain behaviours between the parents.

Judge McGuire ordered that the parties have equal shared parental responsibility for X. The child was ordered to live with the mother, with specific provisions for the father to spend time and communicate with X. These provisions detailed a complex schedule for weekends, alternating weeks, school holidays, and specific public holidays and birthdays, with provisions for changeovers and communication. The court also made orders regarding the exchange of information about X's health and schooling, and importantly, restrained both parents from denigrating the other, involving X in disputes, or discussing court proceedings in X's presence. The orders included a note referencing the *Family Law Act 1975* concerning the consequences of contravening the orders.