Nixon and Nixon (No 2)

In *Nixon & Nixon (No 2)*, the Family Court of Australia considered final parenting orders concerning three children. The dispute involved allegations of family violence and emotional abuse by the father, leading to the mother seeking sole parental responsibility and orders for the children to reside with her, with no provision for time with the father. The father had also conducted the proceedings in a vexatious manner.

The court was required to determine whether it was in the best interests of the children to have a meaningful relationship with their father, given the history of family violence and emotional abuse. The court also had to consider the appropriate parenting orders, including the extent of parental responsibility, the children's living arrangements, and whether any contact or time with the father should be permitted. Furthermore, the court needed to address the father's conduct in the proceedings and the necessity of protective measures for the mother and children.

Justice Bennett found that there was no benefit to the children in having a meaningful relationship with the father due to the family violence and emotional abuse they had been subjected to. Applying the principles of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), particularly concerning the paramountcy of the children's best interests and the need to protect them from harm, the court ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the children's long-term care, welfare, and development. The children were ordered to live with the mother, and the father was restrained by injunction from attending at or near the mother's and children's residences, workplaces, and schools, as well as the maternal grandmother's residence. The court also made provisions for the mother to facilitate communication or time with the father only if the children expressed a wish to do so and an agreement was reached in writing. The father's applications were dismissed, and the proceedings were removed from the docket.