O & D

The appeal concerned a dispute between O and D regarding the location for contact changeovers between their children. The matter came before the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia.

The primary legal issue before the Full Court was whether the trial judge erred in varying the existing orders to permit contact changeovers to occur at the respondent's residence, rather than at a public place as previously ordered. The Court was also required to consider the appropriate orders for costs of the appeal.

The Full Court dismissed the appeal, finding no error in the trial judge's decision. The Court reasoned that the trial judge had properly considered all relevant factors, including the children's best interests, and had not misapplied the law. The Court noted that the trial judge had a broad discretion in making parenting orders and that the appellant had failed to demonstrate that this discretion had been exercised improperly.

The Full Court ordered that the appellant pay the respondent's costs of the appeal, with each party to bear their own costs of the judicial settlement conference.