HAROLDSON & HAROLDSON

In the matter of *Haroldson & Haroldson*, Berman J considered a dispute between parents concerning the upbringing of their child, B. The central conflict revolved around which parent should have sole parental responsibility for B and with whom B should live. The proceedings also addressed the issue of costs associated with the attendance of mental health professionals at trial.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate living arrangements for the child, B, and to allocate parental responsibility between the mother and the father. Key to this determination was assessing the risks associated with each parent and ultimately deciding what was in the best interests of the child. The court also had to make orders regarding the costs incurred by the parties in relation to the evidence presented by mental health professionals.

Berman J ordered that the father have sole parental responsibility for B and that B live with the father. The court also detailed specific arrangements for the child to spend time with the mother, including during school terms, school holidays, and Christmas. Further orders were made concerning handovers, communication between the parents, and injunctions restraining both parties from discussing the proceedings or denigrating the other parent in the presence of the child. The mother was specifically restrained from facilitating the child's attendance on mental health practitioners without the father's written consent. The court also made specific orders regarding the costs of attendance of various medical professionals at trial, with the mother to bear the costs for Dr L and Dr M, and the Independent Children's Lawyer to bear the costs for Dr D. All extant applications were dismissed.