KHALILI & CHATHA

In the matter of *Khalili & Chatha*, Hannam J of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia made orders by consent between the parties concerning parenting arrangements for their children. The dispute centred on the arrangements for the children to spend time with their father, including communication, changeovers, and participation in programs aimed at improving parental relationships and child well-being.

The court was required to determine the specific terms of the parenting orders, including the suspension of a previous court order, the father's time with the children, telephone communication arrangements, the facilitation of changeovers between parents, and the requirement for both parents to participate in specific programs. Additionally, the court needed to address the costs associated with these arrangements and the preparation of a Family Report to inform future decisions.

Hannam J applied the principles of consent orders, making them in accordance with a minute proposed by the Independent Children’s Lawyer. The orders provided for the suspension of a prior order, detailed specific times for the children to spend with their father, and outlined a structured approach to telephone contact. The court mandated the use of professional contact services for changeovers, requiring both parents to apply for and comply with the rules of these services, and to share the associated fees. Furthermore, both parents were ordered to enrol in and participate in a UNIFAM program, sharing the costs, to benefit the children. The court also directed the preparation of a Family Report, outlining specific considerations for the family consultant, including the children's relationships with both parents, protection from harm, the children's views, and the parents' capacity to care for them.

By consent, the court made orders suspending a previous order, detailing the father's time with the children, and establishing communication and changeover protocols. The father's and mother's applications were otherwise dismissed, except as they conformed to the made orders. A previous order for equal shared parental responsibility was discharged. The court also directed the preparation of a Family Report and relisted the proceedings for further directions following its release.