Sadek and Sadek

Harper J made orders in a family law proceeding between the applicant and respondent parents concerning their three children. The dispute involved parenting arrangements and the division of property. The court was required to make consent orders regarding parenting and property, with some specific directions regarding the formalisation of these orders and the role of the Independent Children's Lawyer.

The primary legal issues before the court were the determination of parenting arrangements for the children, including equal shared parental responsibility, living arrangements, and time spent with each parent during school terms, holidays, and special occasions. The court also addressed the division of the former matrimonial home and other assets and liabilities between the parties. Additionally, the court considered the discharge of the Independent Children's Lawyer and the inclusion of specific contravention provisions within the orders.

Harper J applied the principles of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) to make orders by consent of the parties, save for the Independent Children's Lawyer. The court dispensed with certain procedural requirements under the *Family Law Rules 2004* (Cth) and directed the filing of a clean typescript of the orders. The parenting orders established a detailed schedule for the children's time with each parent, aiming for equal shared care and specific arrangements for holidays and significant dates. The property orders provided for the transfer of the former matrimonial home to the wife and a declaration of sole interest in various assets and liabilities for each party, with mutual indemnities for existing debts.

The court ordered that all prior parenting orders be discharged and the appointment of the Independent Children's Lawyer be discharged. The final orders detailed the parenting arrangements and property division as agreed by the parties, with specific directions for the execution of documents and the inclusion of contravention particulars. Each party was to bear their own costs.