Kirkpatrick and Gerces

In the matter of Kirkpatrick and Gerces, heard by Justice Rose, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for the parties' child, born in March 2005. The court was required to make orders regarding the child's living arrangements and the time the father would spend with the child.

The court determined the specific periods of time the father would spend with the child, commencing with supervised contact at a contact centre for an initial six-week period. This was followed by an increase in unsupervised time with the father and his partner, and then a progression to alternate weekends. The orders also addressed care arrangements during school holidays, including Christmas periods, and stipulated daily telephone contact between the child and the non-resident parent. Provisions were made for the father to have care of the child on his birthday and for the parties to keep each other informed of contact details and any serious illness or injury to the child. The court also made orders restraining the parties from discussing court proceedings in the presence of the child and allowing for agreed variations to the parenting arrangements.

Justice Rose ordered that the child live with the mother. The father was granted specific periods of time with the child, commencing with supervised contact and gradually increasing to unsupervised care on alternate weekends. The orders detailed arrangements for school holidays, Christmas, and the father's birthday, along with provisions for daily telephone contact and notification of illness. The court also ordered that the parties be restrained from discussing court proceedings in the child's presence and that all outstanding applications be dismissed. A family consultant was nominated to provide assistance to the parties in relation to compliance with the parenting orders.