Mason and Finton

In Mason and Finton, Stevenson J made orders concerning the parental responsibility and living arrangements for two children, C and P. The dispute centred on how the children would spend their time between their parents.

The court was required to determine the specific arrangements for the children's residence with each parent, including the frequency and duration of time spent with the father, and provisions for special days such as birthdays and public holidays. Further issues included arrangements for school holidays, the location of changeovers, and the exchange of information regarding the children's education and health. The court also addressed the parties' liberty to vary the orders by agreement and incorporated a fact sheet detailing obligations and consequences of contravention.

Stevenson J ordered that the parties have equal shared parental responsibility for the children. The children were to live with the mother, with specific, phased arrangements for the children to live with or spend time with the father, including detailed provisions for weekends, weekdays, and school holidays. The orders also stipulated reasonable telephone contact for each parent when the children were with the other, and outlined procedures for information sharing, attendance at school activities, and notification of address changes. The court also made provision for the return of subpoenaed material.