SHARPE & PARKER

This matter concerned proceedings between Mr Sharpe (the father) and Ms Parker (the mother), with the court being the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. The dispute involved orders relating to property settlement and the living arrangements and time spent with the parties' two children.

The court was required to determine the appropriate orders for the appointment of a litigation guardian for the mother, the quantum and timing of a part property settlement payment from the father to the litigation guardian on behalf of the mother, and the interim living arrangements and time spent with the children. The court also considered directions regarding communication between the mother and children, and the provision of transcripts and explanation of orders.

In reaching its decision, the court appointed Ms L as the litigation guardian for the mother. It ordered the father to pay $29,000 to the litigation guardian within 48 hours of a written request, as part of the property settlement. The court further ordered that the children were to live with the father until further order, and to spend time with the mother on alternate weekends. The mother was also granted limited telephone communication with the children on specified evenings. Directions were given for the provision of transcripts and for the explanation of the orders to the children.