Scotts and Senior

The case of *Scotts and Senior* concerned parenting orders made by Judge Neville in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. The dispute involved the mother and father of two children, X and Y, regarding the arrangements for their care and time spent with each parent.

The court was required to determine the specific terms of parenting orders, including who would have parental responsibility for the children, where they would live, and the schedule for their time spent with each parent. This encompassed detailed provisions for regular time during school terms, school holidays, and special occasions, as well as arrangements for communication, changeovers, and overseas travel. The court also addressed the parents' conduct towards each other in the presence of the children.

Judge Neville made orders granting the mother sole parental responsibility for the children, with the children to live with her. The father was granted time with the children on alternate weekends during school terms, with specific provisions for school holidays and special occasions, including Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, and Father's Day, with alternating arrangements for odd and even-numbered years. The orders also stipulated communication protocols, including notification of significant events and medical information, and authorised childcare and school providers to share information with both parents. Furthermore, the court made provisions for overseas travel, requiring written notice, itinerary details, and consent, and restrained both parents from speaking negatively about the other to the children.