Cowley and Cowley

In *Cowley and Cowley*, heard by Judge Sexton, the dispute concerned parenting orders for two children, X and Y. The court was required to determine the future parenting arrangements for X, who was approaching adulthood, and to formalise consent orders regarding Y's schooling and travel.

The primary legal issues before the court were the appropriate allocation of parental responsibility for X, the specific living arrangements and time spent with each parent, and the extent to which X should have autonomy in her decisions as she neared the age of majority. The court also addressed the practicalities of school attendance, travel, and communication between the parents and the children, as well as the management of costs associated with the proceedings.

The court's reasoning, as reflected in the orders, indicates a shift towards greater autonomy for X as she progresses through her schooling. For X, the father was granted sole parental responsibility, with a requirement to consult the mother on major decisions and consider her input. X was to live with the father and spend time with the mother on alternate weekends, with provisions for X to live and spend time with each parent according to her wishes from the completion of Year 10. The father was also ordered to arrange for X to consult a therapist. For Y, consent orders were made regarding sole parental responsibility for the father, with the mother to be kept informed of decisions, and detailed arrangements for Y's time with each parent, including school holidays and specific dates. Further orders addressed Y's exchange program, the return of X's cats, X's schooling, and the provision of travel itineraries. The court also included standard orders regarding communication, notification of emergencies, change of contact details, and prohibitions against denigration and discussing sensitive matters.