LI & MENG

In the matter of LI & MENG, heard before Judge Scarlett, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for three children, aged 17, 12, and 8 years. The applicant mother initially sought permission to travel to China with the children, but this intention changed, and she subsequently sought to travel to China without them, requiring orders regarding parenting arrangements during her absence.

The court was required to determine the best interests of the children in relation to proposed parenting orders, particularly considering the benefit of maintaining a meaningful relationship with both parents. One of the children has special needs, which was a relevant factor in the court's considerations.

The orders made by consent addressed the living arrangements and time spent with each parent. Specifically, the child X, born in 2003, was to live with the father, with the mother to spend time with X each weekend from Saturday 10:00 am to Sunday 10:00 am, commencing 7 November 2015. The mother was responsible for collecting and returning X for these periods. The respondent father's application filed on 7 September 2015 was discontinued, and the overall application was adjourned for further mention on 7 December 2015.