Doolan and Nixon

In the matter of *Doolan and Nixon*, heard before Watt J, the dispute concerned parenting orders for a child, R, born in November 1998. The court was required to determine the future parental responsibility and living arrangements for R, as well as the extent of the father's future contact with the child.

The court was tasked with determining the appropriate orders regarding R's parental responsibility, residence, and the father's communication with the child. Additionally, the court considered the registration of the child's name and the discharge of previous orders, including the appointment of an independent children's lawyer.

Watt J ordered the discharge of all previous parenting orders concerning R. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility and the child was to live with her, with the mother having sole responsibility for decisions regarding R's daily care. The father was permitted to communicate with R through letters, cards, and gifts sent via the mother's address, and the mother was to keep the father informed of R's address. The court also dispensed with the father's requirement to register R's name with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, allowing the mother to do so alone. The order for an independent children's lawyer was discharged, and all extant applications were dismissed. The court also provided information regarding the obligations and consequences of these orders pursuant to sections 62B and 65DA of the relevant legislation.