Dupleix and Duroc

This matter concerned parenting orders for a child born in November 2005, with the parties being the mother and father. The dispute involved the arrangements for the child's day-to-day care, welfare, and development. The decision was made by Brown J. in the Family Court of Australia.

The court was required to determine the extent of parental responsibility each parent would have, the specific arrangements for the child's living arrangements with each parent, and various ancillary matters including communication, information sharing, and travel restrictions. The court also considered the role of the paternal grandmother and the child's religious upbringing.

The court ordered the discharge of all previous parenting orders and injunctions. It established equal shared parental responsibility for the child, meaning both parents are to consult and agree on significant long-term issues. The child's primary residence was ordered to be with the mother, with detailed provisions outlining the father's time with the child, including progressively increasing periods of overnight stays and weekday contact, as well as specific arrangements for school holidays, birthdays, and religious observances. The court also made orders regarding communication, access to school and childcare information, and travel restrictions to prevent the child's removal from Australia.

The court further ordered that the father ensure his mother's substantial attendance during his time with the child, noting this was to assist the child's transition. Provisions were made for the child's religious upbringing, allowing for consultation and make-up time if religious observances impacted parenting time. The court also restrained the mother from using any name for the child other than Dupleix and imposed specific dietary requirements for the child during her time with the father. Finally, the court ordered that the independent children's lawyer be discharged one month from the date of the orders, and that both parents be restrained from discussing the proceedings or judgment in the child's presence.