Lonsdale and Trevor

In Lonsdale and Trevor, Berman J made orders concerning the parental responsibility and time arrangements for two children, B and C. The dispute concerned the arrangements for the children following the separation of their parents.

The court was required to determine the terms of orders regarding equal shared parental responsibility, the residence of the children, and the specific time each child would spend with each parent. This included detailed provisions for weekday and weekend time, school holidays, birthdays, and communication between the parents and children. The court also addressed practical matters such as handovers, communication books, medical emergencies, school attendance, and attendance at school or sporting functions.

Berman J applied the principles of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) in making orders for the children's best interests. The orders established a framework for shared parental responsibility, with the children to live with the mother and spend significant time with the father. The detailed time arrangements were phased in over several years, particularly for the younger child, C, to allow for gradual adjustment. The court also made orders to facilitate communication and cooperation between the parents, including provisions for communication books and injunctions to prevent the use of a particular surname.