Calwell & Degrave

In the matter of MLC 10853 of 2020, Ms Calwell (the Mother) and Mr Degrave (the Father) were the parties before O'Shannessy J. The dispute concerned parenting arrangements for their child, X, born in 2013.

The court was required to determine the primary issues of who should have parental responsibility for the child, where the child should live, and the extent to which the Father should spend time and communicate with the child.

O'Shannessy J ordered that the Mother have sole parental responsibility for the child and that the child live with the Mother. The Father was to spend time and communicate with the child as agreed in writing between the parties via text message or email. In the event of a dispute regarding any agreed time, circumstance, or condition, the Mother's last communication was to be determinative. All other extant applications were dismissed.