PARCH & RILE

In PARCH & RILE, Kent J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia considered parenting orders concerning two children, B and C. The dispute centred on the allocation of parental responsibility and the arrangements for the children's living situation and time spent with each parent.

The court was required to determine the extent of sole parental responsibility for major long-term issues, the children's primary residence, and the nature of the children's time with the Father. Additionally, the court had to address provisions regarding communication between the Father and children, and importantly, orders aimed at preventing denigration of either parent and the discussion of parental disputes with the children.

Kent J made orders reflecting a significant allocation of sole parental responsibility to the Mother for major long-term issues, with the children to live with her. The Father was granted the ability for the children to spend time with him as agreed or requested by the children. Crucially, the court imposed strict prohibitions on both parents denigrating each other or discussing the parental dispute with the children, and mandated that the Mother facilitate the delivery of gifts and letters from the Father. The court also ordered the discharge of the Independent Children's Lawyer upon the expiry of the appeal period and the dismissal of outstanding applications.