Galos and Galos and Anor

In the matter of *Galos and Galos and Anor*, Judge Brown of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia considered interim parenting and property arrangements concerning a child aged six years and eight months. The father was incarcerated interstate, and sought to spend time with the child in a custodial institution, as well as via electronic means. The paternal grandparents sought regular time with the child. The proceedings also involved an application for interim property settlement, concerning a modest and uncertain property pool, with allegations that the paternal grandparents were owed significant sums.

The court was required to determine the interim parenting arrangements for the child, specifically the nature and extent of time the child would spend with the paternal grandparents, and the conditions under which such time would occur, given the father's incarceration. Additionally, the court needed to address interim property matters, including the management and distribution of the proceeds from the sale of a property and the disposition of a motor vehicle, in light of the alleged debts owed to the paternal grandparents and the overall just and equitable considerations. The court also had to consider orders to facilitate communication and prevent denigration between the parties.

Judge Brown ordered that the child spend time with the paternal grandparents on specified weekend periods, commencing with supervised time for twelve weeks and thereafter on alternate weekends. These arrangements were to occur in the presence of one of the paternal grandparents and could include other paternal family members, with collection and return of the child to the mother's home. Injunctions were granted restraining parties from denigrating each other in the child's presence or discussing proceedings with the child. The wife was ordered to forward the child's school report and monthly photographs to the husband. Further orders included restraining the removal of the child from a specified radius around the Commonwealth Law Courts Building in Adelaide, and directions regarding the proceeds of the sale of a property and the disposition of a motor vehicle. The court also directed the parties, including the paternal grandparents, to attend a family dispute resolution conference and a conciliation conference. The Registrar was appointed to execute documents in the event of non-compliance with the orders.