GAFFNEY & BATEMAN

This matter concerned an application before Judge McGuire regarding the parenting arrangements for a child, X. The dispute involved the mother and father of X, and the court was tasked with determining the future parental responsibility, living arrangements, and time spent between X and each parent.

The court was required to determine the specific orders concerning X's parental responsibility, where X would live, and the detailed schedule for X to spend time with and communicate with the father. Additionally, the court needed to address provisions for medical and psychological treatment for X, notification requirements regarding school changes, and the role and discharge of the Independent Children's Lawyer. The court also considered the implications of contravening the orders made.

Judge McGuire ordered that all existing orders regarding X be discharged. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility, and X was to live with the mother. A detailed schedule was established for X to spend time and communicate with the father, including specific arrangements for weekends, school holidays, birthdays, and communication by telephone. The mother was directed to keep the father informed of X's medical practitioners and was restrained from changing X's school without providing the father with 42 days' written notice. The court also made orders regarding X's psychological therapy, requiring the mother to arrange appointments and ensure continued attendance unless advised otherwise in writing by the psychologist, with copies of correspondence to be provided to the father. The order appointing the Independent Children's Lawyer was to be discharged in three months, with directions for the lawyer to explain the orders to X. Both parties were restrained from providing X with copies of the orders, reasons, affidavits, or expert reports. Finally, the court noted that particulars of the obligations and consequences of contravening the orders were set out in an attached Fact Sheet, pursuant to sections 65DA(2) and 62B of the *Family Law Act 1975*.