MAHER & MILLS

The parties in this matter were the mother and the father, with the Independent Children’s Lawyer also participating. The dispute concerned interim orders in family law proceedings, encompassing both children's matters and property. The mother sought to suspend the father's time with the children for 12 months, obtain sole parental responsibility, and have the children live with her. She also sought the discharge of an airport watch list order to facilitate travel to Country J. Conversely, the father and the Independent Children’s Lawyer sought the extension of existing interim orders, specifically regarding the children's return to school or daycare and the avoidance of parental conflict during changeovers. The father also applied for interim orders concerning the sale of the former family home, which the mother had relinquished to the Bank. The court was presided over by Thornton J.

The legal issues before the court included whether to grant the mother's application for sole parental responsibility and to suspend the father's time with the children, and whether to discharge the airport watch list order to permit international travel. The court was also required to determine the father's application for interim orders regarding the sale of the former family home. Furthermore, the court had to consider the father's application for costs.

Thornton J refused the mother's application for sole parental responsibility and the suspension of the father's time with the children. The court also refused to discharge the airport watch list order, preventing the mother's travel to Country J. The father's application for interim orders concerning the sale of the former family home was granted. Costs were reserved. The mother departed the courtroom during the delivery of the orders.