Radford and Ridley

In the matter of Radford and Ridley, Berman J considered an application to discharge previous final orders concerning parental responsibility and the child's living arrangements. The dispute centred on the arrangements for the parties' child, X, born in 2010.

The court was required to determine the appropriate orders for parental responsibility, the child's residence, and the time the child would spend with each parent. Additionally, the court had to consider provisions for communication between the child and the father, the sharing of costs associated with the child's travel, and the exchange of information regarding the child's health and education. The court also addressed the conduct of the parents towards each other in the child's presence and the role of an Independent Children's Lawyer.

Berman J ordered that the previous final orders be discharged. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility, with the proviso that she must consult the father in writing on major issues concerning the child's health and education. If no agreement was reached, the mother would have the final decision-making authority. The child was ordered to live with the mother, and specific arrangements were made for the child to spend time with the father during school holidays, including detailed provisions for notice, travel costs, and handover locations. The father was granted specific times for telephone communication with the child, facilitated by the mother, and was restrained from inquiring about the mother's personal circumstances. The mother was also ordered to keep the father informed of the child's health professionals, hospitalisations, and educational matters, and both parents were restrained from denigrating each other in the child's presence. The order for the appointment of an Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged.