Harrow and Eton

Bell J made orders concerning the living arrangements and time spent with a child, J, born in March 2002, between the child's mother and father. The dispute centred on the practical arrangements for the child's care and contact with each parent.

The court was required to determine the specific terms of the parenting orders, including where the child would live, the schedule for the father's time with the child during school holidays and term time, and provisions for communication between the child and each parent. Additionally, the court needed to address arrangements for information sharing between the parents regarding the child's schooling and health, as well as protocols for dispute resolution and the dismissal of outstanding applications.

Bell J ordered that the child J live with the Mother. The father was granted specific periods of time with the child during school holidays, with detailed provisions for notice and changeover locations in regional South Queensland. Weekend time during school terms was also ordered, again with specific notice and location requirements. The orders included provisions for telephone communication between the child and the father, and vice versa, and allowed both parents to attend the child's school and extracurricular activities under certain conditions. The court also mandated that handover arrangements occur at a regional South Queensland contact centre unless otherwise agreed, and set out communication protocols for special days. Further orders addressed information sharing, parental conduct in the child's presence, and dispute resolution mechanisms, including mandatory attendance at Family Dispute Resolution. All previous applications and the role of the Independent Children's Lawyer were discharged.