PALMER & CROSSMANN

In PALMER & CROSSMANN, heard by Judge Scarlett, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for two children, X and Y. The Applicant Mother and Respondent Father sought orders regarding the children's living arrangements, time spent with each parent, and other related matters.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate orders for the children's welfare, specifically addressing issues of parental responsibility, the children's residence, and the nature and extent of time each parent would spend with them. Further considerations included the practical arrangements for the children's schooling and the need for independent legal representation for the children.

The court made orders establishing equal shared parental responsibility for the children. The children were to live with the Applicant Mother, with specific provisions for the Respondent Father to spend time with them on Wednesday afternoons, alternate weekends, and during the Christmas period. The orders also mandated that both parents attend a parenting after separation course and that the children's interests be independently represented by a lawyer appointed under section 68L of the *Family Law Act 1975*. The court further directed the parties to provide relevant documents to the appointed Independent Children's Lawyer and granted the lawyer leave to issue subpoenas without charge.