Carl and Watson (No 2)

This matter concerned the parenting arrangements for a child, J, born in August 2006, between the child's parents, Carl and Watson. The court was required to determine the specific orders regarding shared parental responsibility, the child's living arrangements, and the communication and conduct of the parents towards each other and in relation to the child.

The court was tasked with establishing a framework for shared parental responsibility, including how significant decisions about the child's education would be made, particularly in instances of disagreement. Further issues included defining the child's living schedule with each parent, encompassing weekdays, weekends, school holidays, and specific public holidays. The court also needed to address provisions for communication between parents, the facilitation of changeovers, and the conduct of parents in the child's presence and in their communications with each other.

Justice Fowler ordered that the parties have equal shared parental responsibility for the child, subject to specific limitations. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility for educational decisions for a period of two years if disagreements between the parents could not be resolved through mediation. The court detailed a comprehensive schedule for the child to live with each parent, including provisions for birthdays, holidays, and travel. Orders were also made requiring parents to communicate civilly and respectfully, to keep each other informed of the child's health and schooling, and to refrain from making derogatory remarks about the other parent in the child's presence. The court further ordered that the parties attend a Parenting After Separation course and that the parenting orders be supervised by a Family Consultant for two years. The parties were also restrained from open conflict to protect the child from psychological harm.