Seaford and Seaford

In the matter of *Seaford and Seaford*, Brown J considered parenting orders concerning a son born in September 1996. The dispute involved the arrangements for the child's living arrangements, parental responsibility, and related matters following the breakdown of the parents' marriage.

The court was required to determine the specific terms of parenting orders, including the discharge of existing orders and injunctions, the allocation of equal shared parental responsibility, and the detailed schedule for the child to live with each parent. Further issues included provisions for holidays, special days such as birthdays, Fathers' Day and Mothers' Day, communication between the child and parents, attendance at school events, and the financial responsibilities for school fees and extracurricular activities. The court also had to address arrangements for counselling, medical information sharing, dispute resolution for major long-term decisions, and prohibitions against denigration and discussing proceedings with the child.

Brown J discharged all existing parenting orders and injunctions relating to the child. The court ordered that the husband and wife have equal shared parental responsibility. Detailed provisions were made for the child to live with each parent on an alternate weekly basis during school terms, with specific arrangements for long summer holidays and Christmas. The orders also stipulated that both parents ensure the child spends time with each parent on their respective birthdays, Fathers' Day, and Mothers' Day, with specific times outlined in the absence of agreement. Further orders addressed changeover procedures, the husband's responsibility for school fees and enrolment at P School, communication methods, attendance at school and sporting events, counselling arrangements, and the exchange of medical information. The court also mandated a process for consultation on major long-term decisions, including dispute resolution, and imposed restraints on denigration and discussing proceedings with the child.