Shoretsky & Shoretsky (No 2)

This matter concerned applications by the mother and father regarding their three children, B, C, and D. The dispute before Bennett J of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia involved the determination of parental responsibility and the children's residence.

The court was required to determine the paramount issue of who should have sole parental responsibility for the children and where the children should reside. Further, the court had to consider whether any time should be spent between the children and the father, and the role and discharge of the independent children's lawyer.

In reaching her decision, Bennett J applied the principles of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), particularly focusing on the best interests of the children. The court ordered that the mother have sole parental responsibility for the children and that they reside with her or as she directs. Crucially, there was to be no order for time to be spent between the children and the father. The independent children's lawyer was to be at liberty to serve the order on relevant institutions, and the appointment of the independent children's lawyer was discharged. All other extant applications were dismissed.