Little and Ludlow

In the matter of *Little and Ludlow*, heard before Foster J, the dispute concerned the parental responsibility and living arrangements for a child, B. The orders indicate a significant conflict between the parents, Ms Little (the mother) and Mr Ludlow (the father), necessitating judicial intervention to determine the child's best interests.

The court was required to determine the appropriate orders regarding parental responsibility, where the child should live, and the extent of contact, if any, the father should have with the child. Furthermore, the court had to consider whether to grant restraining orders against the father to protect the mother and child.

Foster J ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the child and that the child live with the mother. Crucially, the father was ordered to have no contact or communication with the child, nor to attempt any such contact. In addition, pursuant to section 68B of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), the father was restrained from contacting or approaching the mother or the child by any means, including through a third party. This restraining order also prohibited the father from attending within 100 metres of the mother's or child's residence, the mother's or child's place of employment, or any school or educational institution attended by the child.