Muller and Preston

The case of *Muller and Preston* concerned parenting orders made by Carew J in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The dispute involved the living arrangements and parental responsibility for three children, B, C, and D, born in 2001, 2004, and 2006 respectively. The orders addressed the children's residence, the allocation of parental responsibility, the father's time with the children, and communication between the father and the children.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate orders for the children's welfare, specifically regarding where they would live, who would hold parental responsibility, and the extent of the father's contact with them. Additionally, the court considered the need for injunctions to protect the mother's residence and the children's schools, as well as provisions for ongoing communication and information sharing between the parents regarding the children's health and education. The court also addressed the conduct of the parents towards each other in the presence of the children and the role of an Independent Children's Lawyer.

Carew J ordered that the children live with the mother and that the mother have sole parental responsibility. The father was ordered to spend no time with the children, though he was permitted to communicate with them if they initiated contact. An injunction was issued restraining the father from attending the mother's residence or the children's schools without her prior written consent. The parties were also ordered to keep each other informed of their contact details and to notify of any changes within seven days. The mother was directed to inform the father of any serious illness or injury to the children within seven days and to provide updates on their educational progress at least twice a year, including copies of school reports. Both parents were ordered to refrain from denigrating each other or their families in front of the children. Finally, the appointment of the Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged.