Paul and West

The case of Paul and West concerned parenting orders for a child named C. The dispute involved the allocation of parental responsibility, living arrangements, and time spent between the child and each parent. The matter was heard by Benjamin J.

The court was required to determine the specific terms of parenting orders, including who would have sole parental responsibility, where the child would live, and the detailed schedule for the child's time with each parent. Additionally, the court needed to address communication protocols between the parents, the child's education, and the prohibition of denigration of either parent.

Benjamin J discharged all previous parenting orders and made new orders. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility, with the obligation to keep the father informed of major decisions. The child was ordered to live with the mother. A comprehensive schedule was established for the child's time with the father, covering weekends, school holidays, Christmas, Father's Day, and the child's birthday, with specific alternating arrangements for different years. The orders also stipulated communication methods, the child's surname, and restrictions on discussing court proceedings with the child. By consent, the child was to be enrolled in S High School from Year 8, with the mother unable to change this without the father's consent or a court order. The court also included particulars of obligations and consequences of contravention, as set out in an attached Fact Sheet.