Leonard and McLean

In the matter of *Leonard and McLean*, heard by Judge Henderson, the dispute concerned parenting orders for a child, X, born in 2010. The proceedings involved applications and affidavits from both the mother and father, with the court ultimately making orders regarding the child's living arrangements, parental responsibility, and future contact.

The court was required to determine the best interests of the child, X, in light of the ongoing dispute between the parents. This involved considering the appropriate living arrangements for X, who would have sole parental responsibility, and the terms under which the mother would spend time with the child. Furthermore, the court needed to address the need for independent representation for the child and the facilitation of this representation by both parties.

Judge Henderson discharged all previous parenting orders and ordered that X live with the father, who was granted sole parental responsibility. The mother was to spend time with X under facilitated conditions, initially through Interrelate, with potential for supervised time at the mother's home if the maternal grandmother was able to supervise and provided written undertaking and notice. An Independent Children’s Lawyer was appointed for X pursuant to section 68L of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), and the Legal Aid Commission of New South Wales was requested to arrange representation for the child. The court also set a timetable for the filing of trial affidavits and case outlines for a three-day final hearing scheduled for October 2015.