Flood and Piper and Ors

In the Family Court of Australia, Barry J considered an application concerning the parental responsibility and living arrangements for two children, S and D. The dispute involved the Father, the Mother, and the Paternal Grandmother, with the court seeking to determine the best interests of the children.

The court was required to determine who should have parental responsibility for the children and where they should live. Further issues included the conditions under which the children would reside with the Father and the notification requirements for changes in the children's living arrangements. The court also addressed the liberty of the Father to collect the children from school on a specific date and the obligation of the Father and Mother to notify other parties of any change of address.

Barry J ordered that the Father and the Paternal Grandmother share joint parental responsibility for the children. The children were to live with the Father, but this was conditional upon him residing with his mother, Mrs Flood. The Paternal Grandmother was mandated to notify the Registry Manager if the children ceased residing in her home. The Father was granted liberty to collect the children from school on 13 March 2009, and both the Father and Mother were ordered to provide written notification of any address changes within twenty-four hours. The matter was adjourned for further hearing.