DING & DING

The mother alleged four counts of contravention against the father concerning the children's spend time arrangements. The proceedings were heard by Thornton J in the Family Court of Australia.

The court was required to determine whether the father had contravened the parenting orders regarding the children's time with him, and if so, whether he had a reasonable excuse for any contravention. Specifically, the court had to be satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the alleged contraventions occurred.

Thornton J found that three of the four alleged contraventions were not established on the balance of probabilities. For the fourth alleged contravention, the court was satisfied that the father had a reasonable excuse. Consequently, the Contravention Application filed by the mother on 20 October 2014 was dismissed.