Fargo and Lark

In the matter of *Fargo and Lark*, Benjamin J of the Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the care arrangements for a child. The dispute involved parental responsibilities and the need for specific orders to govern the interactions between the parents and the child.

The court was required to determine appropriate orders regarding the child's changeover arrangements and to address the conduct of the parties in the child's presence. Specifically, the court considered the circumstances under which changeovers should occur and the need to prevent negative interactions between the parents that could impact the child.

Benjamin J ordered that changeovers would take place at a specific McDonald's restaurant if the Children’s Contact Service was unavailable on the relevant day. Furthermore, both parties were restrained from engaging in abusive, demeaning, or belittling behaviour towards each other in the presence or hearing of the child. These obligations and the potential consequences of contravention, along with information on support services, were detailed in an attached Fact Sheet, which was incorporated into the orders. The court also directed that a copy of the reasons for the orders and the transcript of proceedings be placed on the court file, with the reasons not to be published.