CJT and Anor & DAW & DJW

The Full Court of the Family Court of Australia heard an appeal concerning parenting orders made by Coleman J. The appeal was brought by the father, CJT, and the mother, DJW, against orders made in relation to their child, DAW. The dispute centred on the arrangements for DAW's future care, welfare, and development.

The primary legal issues before the Full Court were whether Coleman J erred in her assessment of the evidence and in her application of the relevant principles under the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), particularly concerning the paramountcy of the child's best interests. The appellants contended that the orders made did not adequately reflect the evidence presented regarding their respective capacities and the child's needs, and that the judge had failed to properly consider certain aspects of the evidence.

The Full Court analysed the judgment of Coleman J, reviewing the evidence that had been before the primary judge and the reasons provided for the final orders. The Court affirmed the principles that the best interests of the child are the sole consideration in parenting matters and that a judge is entitled to weigh the evidence as they see fit. The Full Court found no error in the primary judge's factual findings or her application of the law, concluding that the judge had properly considered all relevant factors and that the orders made were within the scope of her discretion.

The appeal was dismissed, and the parenting orders made by Coleman J were affirmed.