Hansford and Phillips

This matter concerned proceedings between Hansford and Phillips, heard by Judge Brown. The dispute involved the parenting arrangements for the children, X and Y, and the location of the proceedings.

The court was required to determine several key issues, including the appropriate registry for the proceedings, the urgent appointment of an Independent Children’s Lawyer, and the interim parenting arrangements for the children. The court also considered the implications of the mother's potential relocation to Adelaide and the father's occupancy of the former family home.

Judge Brown ordered the transfer of the proceedings to the Canberra Registry and scheduled a directions hearing. Crucially, an Independent Children’s Lawyer was to be urgently appointed to represent the children's interests. The court then made detailed interim orders regarding the children's residence with each parent, including specific arrangements for school terms and holidays, and the father's return of the children to Canberra. The father was ordered to vacate the former family home, with the mother to have sole occupancy, subject to her meeting outgoings. The parties were also restrained from discussing the proceedings in the presence of the children or permitting others to do so.