KEITH & KEITH

The case of *KEITH & KEITH* concerned parenting orders made by Tree J. The dispute involved the mother, Ms Keith, and the father, Mr Keith, regarding the care and responsibility for their eight children.

The primary legal issue before the court was to determine the future parenting arrangements for the children, specifically concerning parental responsibility, living arrangements, and the extent of the father's contact with the children. The court was required to consider the welfare of the children in making these determinations, particularly in light of the father's previous conduct and the potential for ongoing conflict between the parents.

Tree J ordered that all previous parenting orders be discharged. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility for all eight children, and the children were to live with her. The father was restrained from seeking to spend time or communicate with the children, except under specific conditions. These conditions allowed for supervised time at a designated contact centre, to be determined by the mother in her sole parental responsibility, but with genuine consideration for the children's wishes, the maximum available supervised time, and the children's emotional welfare. The father was to bear all costs associated with the contact centre. Further orders included restraints on the father discussing allegations of domestic violence or physical discipline, and both parents were restrained from denigrating each other in the presence of the children. The Independent Children's Lawyer was to explain the orders to the children and was discharged upon the expiration of the appeal period or determination of any appeal. The court also noted the inclusion of a Fact Sheet detailing the obligations and consequences of contravening the orders, pursuant to sections 65DA and 62B of the relevant legislation.