Langton and Langton

This matter concerned orders made by Tree J in the Family Court of Australia regarding the parental responsibility and time arrangements for two children, B and C. The proceedings involved the Father and the Mother, who sought to finalise arrangements for their children.

The court was required to determine the terms of final orders concerning equal shared parental responsibility, the children's living arrangements, and the specific times the children would spend with each parent. This included detailed provisions for regular time, changeovers, communication, special days, school holidays, and the exchange of information between the parents. The court also addressed provisions for respecting each parent's privacy and ensuring respectful communication about the other parent in the children's presence.

The orders were made by consent on a final basis. The court discharged all previous orders, save for an order made by Forrest J on 7 August 2014. The primary orders established equal shared parental responsibility for the children. The children were to live with the Mother, and spend time with the Father in accordance with a detailed schedule that included alternate weeks, specific arrangements for special days such as Father's Day, Mother's Day, birthdays, and Christmas, and a division of school holidays. The orders also stipulated how changeovers were to occur, facilitated communication between parents and children, and outlined requirements for information exchange regarding the children's health and education. Provisions were also included to ensure respectful communication and to prevent denigration of either parent in the children's presence. The Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged upon the expiration of the appeal period or the determination of any appeal.