Ewan and McConchie

The case of Ewan and McConchie involved a dispute between parents concerning the living arrangements and communication of their child. The matter came before Dessau J in the Family Court of Australia.

The court was required to determine the primary residence of the child and the terms of the child's contact with the non-resident parent. Additionally, the court considered the appointment of an Independent Children's Lawyer and the preparation of a family report.

Dessau J made orders by consent, establishing that the child would live with the father, subject to specific contact arrangements with the mother, including two out of three weekends, half of all holidays, and telephone communication. The court also ordered the appointment of an Independent Children's Lawyer, to be arranged by Victoria Legal Aid, and directed the parties to cooperate in obtaining a family report at their joint expense. The court reserved all questions of costs and adjourned extant applications.