Jackman and Jackman

In the matter of *Jackman and Jackman*, Stevenson J of the Family Court of Australia considered orders relating to the living arrangements and communication of two children, L and C. The dispute concerned the specific terms of these arrangements and the extent of each parent's time with the children.

The court was required to determine the appropriate orders for the children's residence, including the division of school term time and school holidays between the parents. Additionally, the court needed to establish provisions for daily communication between the children and the parent with whom they were not residing. The court also considered the father's intention regarding the children's geographical location.

Stevenson J discharged all existing orders and made new orders establishing a shared parenting arrangement. The children were to live with the father for six nights per fortnight during school term time, specifically from Friday of Week 1 until Thursday of the following week, and otherwise with the mother during term time. School holidays were to be divided equally between the parents, with the father having the second half in default of agreement. The court also ordered that each parent could speak with the children by telephone daily between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm when the children were in the other parent's care. The father's intention not to remove the children's residence from the W district was noted. Finally, the court included particulars of obligations, consequences of contravention, and assistance for compliance in a fact sheet attached to the orders, pursuant to sections 65DA(2) and 62B of the relevant legislation.