Lepp and Grantham

In the matter of *Lepp and Grantham*, heard in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, Judge Burchardt made orders concerning the parental responsibility, living arrangements, and time spent with the children, X and Y. The dispute centred on the arrangements for the children following admissions by the father regarding the consumption of illicit substances.

The court was required to determine the extent of parental responsibility, where the children would live, and the specific terms of the children's time with the father. Key issues included the conditions under which the father could spend time with the children, the supervision of such time, and measures to ensure the children's safety and well-being, particularly in light of the father's past conduct. The court also considered communication protocols between the parents and the father's obligations regarding substance use.

Judge Burchardt ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the children, with the children to live with her. The father was granted supervised time with the children, with specific conditions relating to his abstinence from illicit substances for at least twelve hours before and during all periods of time spent with the children. These conditions were to be monitored through supervised urine screens. The orders also established detailed arrangements for the children's time with the father, including specific periods, locations, and the involvement of the paternal grandmother. Further orders addressed communication between the parents, the father's driving obligations, and restrictions on derogatory communication towards the mother. The court also discharged the order for an Independent Children's Lawyer and dismissed all extant proceedings.