Peters and Ashwood

In the matter of Peters and Ashwood, Johns J considered an application to vary final parenting orders made on 20 March 2017. The dispute concerned the specific arrangements for a child's time with each parent.

The court was required to determine how to vary the existing parenting orders to reflect the current circumstances and needs of the child. This involved adjusting the schedule of time the child would spend with each parent, including specific dates and durations for alternate Fridays, Christmas Eve, and periods throughout 2017 and 2018.

Johns J applied the paramountcy principle, focusing on the best interests of the child when making the variations. The court's reasoning led to a detailed restructuring of the time provisions within the original parenting orders, specifying new arrangements for various periods. The court also noted the inclusion of a fact sheet detailing the obligations, consequences of contravention, and support services available to the parties, pursuant to sections 65DA(2) and 62B of the relevant legislation.

The court ordered that the final parenting orders be varied in accordance with the detailed schedule provided, with the original orders otherwise remaining in full force and effect. All extant applications were dismissed.