Caddy and Thomson

This matter concerned an application before Judge Burchardt concerning parenting arrangements for three children, X, Y, and Z. The dispute centred on the parental responsibility for the children, their living arrangements, and the time they would spend with each parent.

The court was required to determine the extent of parental responsibility each parent would hold, specifically whether one parent should have sole responsibility. It also needed to establish the children's primary residence and the specific arrangements for the children to spend time and communicate with the father, including during school holidays and special occasions. Further issues included the appropriate method of communication between the parents regarding the children, and the need for professional intervention to facilitate the operation of the parenting orders.

Judge Burchardt ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the children, with the children to live with her. The father was granted specific time with Y and Z, with detailed provisions for weekdays, weekends, school holidays, and significant dates. The court also stipulated that X would spend time and communicate with the father according to X's wishes, with the mother to facilitate this. The orders included injunctions restraining the mother from questioning the children about their time with the father and from initiating contact while the children were in the father's care. Both parents were ordered to attend professional counselling for six months to review and promote the operation of the orders, and to communicate via email unless an emergency arose. The father was authorised to obtain school-related information and attend school functions. Finally, both parents were restrained from denigrating each other in the presence of the children.