Reid and Sawyer

In the matter of *Reid and Sawyer*, heard before Justice Fowler, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for the parties' two children, G and J. The court was tasked with determining the future care and responsibility for these children following the breakdown of the parents' relationship.

The central legal issues before the court were the allocation of parental responsibility, the specific responsibilities concerning the children's health and education, the establishment of a shared care arrangement, and the terms of contact between the children and each parent. Additionally, the court had to consider orders regarding the children's participation in extracurricular activities, restrictions on parental attendance at school events, and measures to prevent parental criticism of each other in the children's presence. The court also had to address the provision of assistance for compliance with the orders and the apportionment of costs for the Independent Children's Lawyer.

Justice Fowler discharged all prior parenting orders and established a new framework. The parties were granted joint parental responsibility, with the mother having sole responsibility for matters of health and education for both children, except for urgent medical treatment required by either child while in the father's care. The mother was required to consult the father on major decisions regarding health and education, but she retained the ultimate decision-making authority if agreement could not be reached within 21 days. The court ordered equal shared care of the children, detailing specific weekly arrangements and provisions for school holidays. Further orders addressed specific times for children to spend with each parent on holidays and birthdays, and outlined responsibilities for transporting G to football. The court also imposed restrictions on each parent attending the children's school events and on attending extracurricular activities, with specific exceptions. Crucially, both parents were restrained from criticising or denigrating the other parent or their families in the presence of the children. The court also ordered assistance from a Family Consultant for 12 months and directed each party to pay half of the Independent Children's Lawyer's costs.