Chess and Cope

In the matter of *Chess and Cope*, Bell J considered applications concerning the care arrangements for two children, T and M. The proceedings involved the maternal great-grandmother of both children and the father of T. The dispute centred on the parental responsibility and living arrangements for T, and the parental responsibility and living arrangements for M.

The court was required to determine the appropriate orders for parental responsibility, including shared or sole responsibility for major long-term issues and day-to-day care, and to establish the living arrangements for both children. Additionally, the court needed to consider the discharge of orders appointing an Independent Children's Lawyer and the dismissal of outstanding applications.

For child T, Bell J ordered that the maternal great-grandmother and the father share equal parental responsibility for major long-term issues. However, the maternal great-grandmother was granted sole parental responsibility for day-to-day issues, and T was ordered to live with her. Specific time arrangements were set for T to spend with the father, including alternate weekends, a mid-week overnight stay, and half of each school holiday period, with detailed provisions for Christmas holidays. For child M, the maternal great-grandmother was granted sole parental responsibility for both major long-term issues and day-to-day care, with M ordered to live with her, following the mother's indication that she had no objection to this arrangement. In both matters, orders for the appointment of an Independent Children's Lawyer were discharged, and all outstanding applications were dismissed.