Ferron and Ferron

In the matter of *Ferron and Ferron*, Judge Phipps of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the parental responsibility and time arrangements for two children, X and Y. The dispute concerned the arrangements for the children following the separation of their parents.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate orders for the children's equal shared parental responsibility, where the children would live, and the specific arrangements for the children to spend time and communicate with the father. The court also considered the need for injunctions to prevent denigration of a parent and the discussion of family law proceedings with the children, as well as provisions for each parent to receive school-related information and attend school events.

Judge Phipps ordered that the parents have equal shared parental responsibility for the children. The children were ordered to live with the mother, with detailed provisions outlining the father's time with the children during school terms, school holidays, and on specific birthdays and Father's Day, including provisions for telephone and electronic communication. The court also made orders suspending certain aspects of the father's time with the children under specific circumstances. Injunctions were granted restraining both parents from denigrating the other parent to or in the presence of the children, or discussing family law proceedings with them. Each parent was also granted the right to receive school reports and attend school events at their own expense. All previous orders were discharged, and extant applications were dismissed.