Dolores and Dolores

This matter concerned an appeal to the Supreme Court of New South Wales from orders made by the Wollongong Local Court concerning the parenting arrangements for a child born in February 2008. The parties, Dolores and Dolores, sought to resolve disputes regarding their child's upbringing.

The court was required to determine the appropriate parenting orders, specifically addressing issues of parental responsibility, the child's living arrangements, and the time the child would spend with each parent. The court also considered the method of communication between the parents regarding the child's welfare and the provision of medical care.

Cohen J discharged the orders of the Wollongong Local Court and made new orders. These orders 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, including regular Tuesday and Thursday evenings, Saturday mornings, and various special occasions such as Ramadan, the Muslim New Year, Father's Day, the father's birthday, and the child's birthday. Certain periods, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Easter, and Mother's Day, were designated for the father's time with the child to be suspended. The court also stipulated that the father would collect and return the child from the mother's home, and that a communication book was to be used to record important matters concerning the child's care. Furthermore, the court ordered that the child's medical treatment was to be undertaken by a specific doctor except in emergencies. The matter was then to be transferred to the Federal Magistrates Court for final determination.