Meade and Meade

In the matter of *Meade and Meade*, Barry J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application concerning the welfare and living arrangements of a child, X. The dispute involved the parents' differing views on the child's education and contact arrangements.

The court was required to determine the primary residence of the child, the child's schooling arrangements, and the nature and extent of communication and time spent between the child and each parent. Additionally, the court considered the role and information gathering powers of the Independent Children's Lawyer.

Barry J made orders for the child to be returned to S School in Queensland, with both parents sharing the costs of attendance. The parents were to share school holidays equally, with a default arrangement for the father to have the first half and the mother the second half if agreement could not be reached. The mother was prohibited from telephone communication with the child, but both parents were permitted written communication. The proceedings were listed for trial, and leave was granted to the Independent Children's Lawyer to issue subpoenas for school reports and medical records, and to release information to a medical practitioner for a report update. The orders also included a notice detailing obligations, consequences of contravention, and sources of assistance.