Lessil and Hollis

The case of Lessil and Hollis concerned parenting orders for two sons, born in November 1999 and March 2001. The dispute brought before Guest J involved the arrangements for the children's living arrangements, time spent with each parent, and related matters.

The court was required to determine the extent of parental responsibility for the children, where the children would live, and the specific arrangements for the children to spend time with the mother. Additionally, the court needed to consider provisions regarding transportation for handovers, prohibitions on denigration, notification of addresses and contact details, and the exchange of information regarding the children's health and schooling. The court also had to address the consequences of contravening the orders made.

Guest J ordered that both parents have equal shared parental responsibility for the children. The children were to live with the Father, and the Mother was to have specific contact arrangements, including alternate weekends, half of the school holidays, and specific times on Christmas and birthdays. The orders also stipulated shared transportation for handovers, a restraint on denigrating the other parent in the children's presence, and ongoing communication regarding addresses, telephone numbers, and the children's health and schooling. The court also incorporated a fact sheet detailing the obligations created by the orders and the potential consequences of contravention, pursuant to sections 65DA(2) and 62B of the relevant legislation.