Fennett and Hessing

The case of *Fennett and Hessing* concerned an application regarding the living arrangements and care of a child, R, born in February 2008. The proceedings were heard by Murphy J.

The central legal issue before the court was to determine the primary residence of the child, R, and to establish the long-term responsibility for the child's care, welfare, and development. Additionally, the court was required to make orders concerning the mother's time and communication with the child.

Murphy J ordered that the child, R, would live with the Applicant Paternal Grandmother and the Father. These parties were granted long-term responsibility for the child’s care, welfare, and development. The Mother was to spend time and communicate with the child as agreed between the Paternal Grandmother and the Father. All outstanding applications were removed from the Pending Cases List. Pursuant to s.65DA(2) and s.62B of the relevant legislation, the court also ordered that particulars of the obligations created by these orders, the consequences of contravention, and details of support services were to be set out in an attached Fact Sheet, which was to be considered part of the orders.