PRENTICE & PRENTICE

The parties to this proceeding were the mother and the father, with the dispute concerning the parenting arrangements for their two children, Y and X. The decision was made by Forrest J in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

The court was required to determine the living arrangements for the children, who would have parental responsibility for them, and the nature and extent of any contact the children would have with the father. The court also considered the status of outstanding applications and the role of the Independent Children’s Lawyer.

Forrest J ordered that the children live with the mother and that the mother have sole parental responsibility. Crucially, the court ordered that the children spend no time with and have no communication with the father. The court further dismissed all outstanding applications and removed the matter from the list of pending cases, discharging the Independent Children’s Lawyer.