Clifford and Miles

In the matter of Clifford and Miles, Hannam J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the parenting arrangements for the child X. The dispute involved the mother and father regarding the future care and time spent with their child.

The court was required to determine the appropriate parenting orders, including the allocation of parental responsibility, the child's living arrangements, and the specific schedule for the child's time with each parent. This involved considering the best interests of the child in establishing a framework for shared responsibility and contact.

Hannam J ordered the discharge of all previous parenting orders. The court established equal shared parental responsibility for the child, with the child to live with the mother. The father was granted specific periods of time with the child, with detailed provisions for weekdays, weekends, school holidays, and public holidays, both before and after the child commenced formal schooling. The orders also included provisions for the suspension of the father's time during certain periods, such as Mother's Day and specific Christmas arrangements, and stipulated the locations for changeovers. Furthermore, the court imposed restrictions on each parent regarding derogatory comments, disclosure of proceedings to the child, and granted both parents authority to liaise with the child's medical practitioners and follow their recommendations.