Keva & Putra

The case of Keva & Putra involved a dispute between the parents concerning the living arrangements and time spent with their two children, L and S. The matter was heard by Barry J.

The court was required to determine the primary residence of the children, the allocation of decision-making responsibility for their long-term care, welfare, and development, and the specific arrangements for the father's time with each child, including communication and supervision. Further issues included the practicalities of changeovers, access to school and medical information, and provisions regarding parental conduct, such as alcohol consumption, denigration of the other parent, and the discussion of adult issues in the children's presence.

Barry J ordered that the children, L and S, live with the Mother and that she have sole responsibility for their long-term care, welfare, and development. Each parent was granted sole responsibility for day-to-day decisions concerning the children while they were in their respective care. Specific time arrangements were made for the Father to spend time with child S, which were to be supervised by a named individual or an agreed-upon alternative. The Father's time with child L was to be at times agreed between L and the Father. The orders also stipulated detailed provisions for communication, changeovers, and parental conduct, including prohibitions on excessive alcohol consumption, driving under the influence in the children's presence, denigrating the other parent, and discussing adult matters with the children. A Family Consultant was appointed to explain the orders to the children.