Senna and Jensen

In the matter of Senna and Jensen, Forrest J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia made orders concerning the parenting arrangements for two children, B and C. The dispute centred on the living arrangements, parental responsibility, and time the children would spend with each parent.

The court was required to determine the primary residence of the children, the allocation of parental responsibility, and the specific arrangements for the children's time with the father, including communication and the resolution of disputes regarding major long-term issues. The court also considered the role of the Independent Children's Lawyer and the provision of information to the father.

Forrest J ordered that the children live with the mother and that she have sole parental responsibility, subject to specific requirements for consultation with the father on major long-term issues. These requirements included informing the father in writing of proposed decisions, inviting his input, taking that input into account, and notifying him of the final decision. The father was granted supervised time with the children for up to four hours per month, with costs to be shared equally. Communication arrangements were also detailed, including specific times for telephone calls and the provision of school reports to the father. The Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged.