Pierce and Caswell

This matter concerned parenting orders made by Judge Willis in relation to a child born in 2006. The proceedings involved the child's mother and father, who sought to establish arrangements for their child's upbringing and care.

The court was required to determine issues of parental responsibility, living arrangements, and the specific times the child would spend with each parent. Key legal issues included the extent of equal shared parental responsibility for long-term decisions, the division of daily care responsibilities, and the practical arrangements for handovers, holidays, and special days. The court also addressed communication protocols between the parents, interstate travel, and restrictions on denigration and discussion of proceedings with the child.

Judge Willis ordered that the mother and father have equal shared parental responsibility for major long-term issues concerning the child, including education, religious and cultural upbringing, health, name, and significant changes to living arrangements. However, the court explicitly clarified that this order did not extend to the father's partner, who was not to be involved in decision-making or communication with professionals regarding the child. The father was made responsible for the child's daily care when the child was with him, and the mother for the child's daily care when the child was with her. The child was ordered to live with the mother, with specific provisions for the child to spend time with the father on alternate weekends and during school holidays. The court also made detailed orders regarding communication, special days, and the attendance of both parents at school functions, while restraining either parent from discussing the proceedings with the child and the mother from bringing the child into contact with a Mr M. The parties were also ordered to attend parenting programs and counselling to ensure they understood their sole responsibility for the child's parenting.