Canning and Canning

The case of Canning and Canning concerned parenting orders made by Judge Lapthorn in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The dispute involved the father and mother of five children, X, Y, Z, W, and V, regarding their future care arrangements.

The court was required to determine the extent of parental responsibility each parent would have, where the children would live, and the specific arrangements for the children spending time with each parent. Additionally, the court needed to address issues of communication between the parents regarding the children, the prevention of denigration, and the exchange of information concerning the children's education and health.

Judge Lapthorn made orders granting the father sole parental responsibility for all five children and stipulating that the children would otherwise live with the father. Specific arrangements were made for the children to spend time with the mother, with variations depending on the age of the children. Orders were also made regarding communication, including telephone contact and the exchange of information about the children's schooling and medical care. Crucially, orders were made restraining each parent from denigrating the other or members of their families in the presence of the children, and requiring them to ensure no other person did so.