PAIGE & PAINTON

In the matter of PAIGE & PAINTON, Judge Altobelli of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the parental responsibility, living arrangements, and time spent by the children with their parents. The dispute centred on the future care and welfare of the two children, born in 2006 and 2008.

The court was required to determine the appropriate allocation of parental responsibility, where the children would live, the extent of any time the children would spend with the father, and the nature of communication and contact between the father and the children. Additionally, the court considered the need for therapeutic assistance for the mother and imposed various restraints on both parents to ensure the children's safety and well-being.

The court ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the children, with the children to live with her. The father was ordered to spend no time with the children, though he was permitted to send letters and gifts twice a year, subject to the mother's inspection and discretion. The mother was also ordered to seek therapeutic parenting assistance. Crucially, the court imposed significant restraints on the father, including prohibitions on assaulting, harassing, or intimidating the mother or children, attending their home or school, and any contact other than as permitted by the orders. These restraints were made pursuant to s 68B of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) and carried a power of arrest without warrant under s 68C. The mother was also restrained from making derogatory remarks about the father in the children's presence and from physically disciplining the children.