Pappas and Kosta

This matter concerned orders made by Judge Phipps regarding the parental responsibility and time arrangements for two children. The dispute centred on how the parents, the mother and the father, would share responsibility for and time with their children.

The court was required to determine the extent of equal shared parental responsibility, the specific living arrangements for the children, and the detailed schedule of time the children would spend with the father. Further issues included provisions for communication, changeovers, travel, and the conduct of the parties towards each other and the children. The court also needed to address arrangements for counselling, the exchange of information, and the process for resolving future disputes.

Judge Phipps ordered that the mother and father have equal shared parental responsibility for the children. The children were ordered to live with the mother, with specific provisions for the children to spend time and communicate with the father, including alternate weekends, mid-week time, and time on birthdays and holidays. The orders also detailed arrangements for school holidays, changeovers, and the exchange of medication and information. The court imposed restraints on the parties, including prohibitions against denigrating each other, removing the children from Australia without consent, and leaving the children unsupervised during specific hours. Provisions were made for overseas travel, and the parties were directed to attend family dispute resolution if unable to resolve future issues.