Leroy and Dreifer

In the matter of *Leroy and Dreifer*, Strickland J considered applications concerning the living arrangements and contact arrangements for a child born in June 1995. The specific nature of the dispute between the parties, Leroy and Dreifer, is not detailed, but the court was tasked with making orders regarding the child's residence and the father's ability to remove the child from the State of South Australia.

The central legal issue before the court was the determination of what orders were in the best interests of the child, as mandated by Section 60CC of the *Family Law Act 1975*. This required the court to consider a range of primary and additional considerations outlined in the Act, including the benefit of a meaningful relationship with both parents, the need to protect the child from harm, the child's views, the nature of the child's relationships, the parents' willingness to facilitate contact, the likely effect of changes in circumstances, and the practicalities of maintaining contact. The court also had to consider the capacity of each parent to provide for the child's needs and any relevant family violence orders.

Strickland J applied the principles set out in Section 60CC of the *Family Law Act 1975* to determine the best interests of the child. The court ordered that the child shall live with the mother and granted an injunction restraining the father from removing the child from South Australia. The father was permitted to spend time with the child as agreed between the parties. All previous orders were discharged, and all pending applications and responses were dismissed. The court also issued a Fact Sheet detailing the obligations created by these orders and the potential consequences of contravention, pursuant to Sections 62B and 65DA(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975*.