Hadfield and Harris and Anor

In the matter of *Hadfield and Harris and Anor*, Cronin J considered applications concerning the care arrangements for children. The dispute involved the father and the mother, with the court also noting the involvement of an Independent Children’s Lawyer and the Department of Health and Human Services.

The primary legal issues before the court were the determination of final parenting orders regarding the children's living arrangements and time spent with each parent, and the resolution of contravention applications filed by the mother. The court was also required to consider the implications of potential future employment for one of the parties on the existing orders.

Cronin J made orders that the children live with the father and spend time with the mother on alternate weekends and for the second half of school holidays. The court also ordered that contravention applications filed by the mother be withdrawn. Importantly, the court adjourned all substantive applications for final orders to a date to be fixed for trial, indicating that the orders made were interim in nature. The court also included a Fact Sheet detailing obligations and consequences of contravention, as permitted by ss. 65DA(2) and 62B of the relevant legislation.