Parran and Mayfield

In *Parran and Mayfield*, Stevenson J of the Family Court of Australia considered orders relating to the parental responsibility, living arrangements, and time spent with two children, X and Y. The dispute concerned the future care and welfare of the children, with the court ultimately making significant orders regarding their upbringing.

The central legal issue before the court was how to best provide for the children's welfare in light of the circumstances presented. This involved determining the appropriate allocation of parental responsibility, where the children should live, and whether any time spent with the father was in the children's best interests. The court also had to consider the practical implications of its orders, including communication with schools and the explanation of the orders to the children.

Stevenson J ordered that all existing orders concerning the children be discharged. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility, with the father permitted only to contact the children's schools for reports and annual photographs. The children were ordered to live with the mother and spend no time with the father. The court also made provisions for the father and the Independent Children's Lawyer to provide copies of the orders to the children's schools, and for the mother to keep the father informed of the children's current schools. Furthermore, the court requested a conference with a Family Consultant to explain the orders to the children, and incorporated a Fact Sheet detailing obligations and consequences of contravention into the orders. All subpoenaed material was to be returned.