ESSEX & ESSEX

This matter concerned the parenting arrangements for a child, B, born in 2005, with Hogan J presiding. The dispute between the parents, the father and the mother, was resolved by consent orders addressing the child's living arrangements, parental responsibility, and time spent with each parent.

The court was required to determine the specific orders concerning the child's residence, the allocation of parental responsibility for major long-term issues, and the detailed schedule for the child's time with each parent, including provisions for holidays, special days, and communication. The orders also addressed the parents' obligations regarding the child's welfare, health, education, and travel.

The court made orders by consent, establishing that the child would live with the mother and that both parents would share equal parental responsibility for major long-term issues. The orders stipulated that parents must consult and make genuine efforts to reach joint decisions on these matters, while each parent retains responsibility for day-to-day care. A comprehensive schedule was set out detailing the child's time with the father, including specific arrangements for weekends, weekdays, school holidays, and significant dates such as birthdays and Christmas, with provisions for collection and return of the child. The orders also included clauses regarding communication between parents and the child, parental conduct, information sharing about the child's health and education, and international travel. Further, the father was ordered to continue attending treatment and comply with recommended regimes, with provisions for his treating practitioner to contact the mother if concerns arose about his capacity to care for the child. The child was to continue attending counselling.

Finally, the court ordered that all outstanding applications were dismissed and removed from the list. Provisions were made for the return or destruction of subpoenaed documents and exhibits after the appeal period.