PORTER & ASCHAM

In the matter of *Porter & Ascham*, Kent J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia made orders by consent concerning the living arrangements and parental responsibility for two children, S and O. The dispute centred on the arrangements for the children following the separation of their parents.

The court was required to determine the specific terms of parenting orders that would govern the children's lives. These included orders relating to where the children would live, who would have parental responsibility, communication between the parents and the children, and the involvement of each parent with the children's schooling and medical care. The court also considered provisions for the event of the mother's death and international travel arrangements for the children.

The orders were made by consent of the parties, reflecting an agreement on the terms of parenting arrangements. The court applied principles of family law, specifically the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), to formalise these agreed arrangements. Key orders included the children living with the Father and the Father having sole parental responsibility. The orders also established protocols for communication, including the Father's right to review correspondence from the Mother before it was given to the children, and the children's liberty to telephone the Mother. Provisions were made for the Mother to contact schools regarding educational progress and receive school reports, while restricting her attendance at the schools unless agreed. The Father was ordered to notify the Mother of serious medical emergencies and overseas travel plans. Crucially, both parents were prohibited from denigrating each other to or in the presence of the children.

The court ordered that the Independent Children's Lawyer be discharged and the proceedings be removed from the pending cases list. The orders also stipulated that particulars of obligations, consequences of contravention, and assistance resources were set out in an annexed document, pursuant to sections 62B and 65DA(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).