Mitchell and Mitchell

In *Mitchell and Mitchell*, heard by Judge Harman, the court was tasked with determining parenting arrangements for three children: [X] born in 2005, [Y] born in 2007, and [Z] born in 2010. The dispute concerned the parental responsibility and living arrangements for these children, as well as the father's time with them.

The court was required to consider the best interests of the children in making orders regarding their upbringing. Specifically, the court had to determine who would have sole parental responsibility, where the children would live, and the nature and extent of the father's time with them. Further issues included the arrangements for the father's contact, restrictions on the father's presence at the children's educational facilities, and the conditions under which the father might seek future orders for time with the children.

Judge Harman ordered that the mother, Ms Mitchell, have sole parental responsibility for the children, and that they live with her. The father, Mr Mitchell, was granted time with the children on alternate weekends and for a specific period on Christmas Day each year. The orders also included provisions for the father's mother or an agreed person to facilitate the children's collection and return. Crucially, the father was restrained from attending the children's school or preschool, except for invited events with prior notification to the mother. The court also stipulated stringent requirements for any future applications by the father to spend time with the children, including psychiatric and psychological assessments and evidence of completion of specific programs. All prior parenting orders were discharged, and outstanding applications were dismissed.