NICHOLAS & PARRA

This matter came before Judge Dunkley concerning parenting orders for a child, X, born in 2015. The dispute involved the arrangements for X's living situation and time spent with each parent.

The court was required to determine the interim parenting arrangements for X, including the allocation of parental responsibility, where X would live, and the specific times X would spend with each parent. Additionally, the court needed to consider orders regarding the parents' conduct towards each other and X, and the involvement of a family consultant to prepare a family report.

Judge Dunkley made orders for equal shared parental responsibility, with X to live with her mother. The father was granted specific time with X, with detailed provisions for alternate weekends and mid-week time, as well as holiday arrangements, which were to commence from December 2020 and adjust from January 2021. The court also made orders prohibiting denigration of either parent or their family members in X's presence and restricted X's contact with certain paternal family members unless the father was present. Crucially, the court ordered the parties and X to attend upon a family consultant for the preparation of a family report, outlining specific matters the report should address, including the child's views, the nature of relationships, parental capacity, and any family violence. The case was adjourned for further directions following the release of this report.