SHILL & COVEL

In the matter of *Shill & Covel*, heard before Le Poer Trench J, the dispute concerned a father's application alleging contravention of parenting orders by the mother. The court was required to determine whether the mother had contravened the operative parenting orders on the occasions alleged by the father, and if so, whether a penalty should be imposed.

The court considered the evidence presented regarding two alleged contraventions by the mother. It also noted that the father had, on numerous occasions, chosen not to exercise his time with the child. Crucially, the court found that the mother had a reasonable excuse for failing to comply with the parenting order on specific occasions.

Applying these findings, the court determined that it was not appropriate to impose a penalty on the mother for the two contraventions that had been established. Consequently, the father's contravention application was dismissed. The court also noted that interim parenting orders had been made during the proceedings.