Short and Stanford

In the matter of *Short and Stanford*, heard before Justice Austin, the dispute concerned parenting orders for a child born in June 2007. The orders ultimately made by the court discharged all former parenting orders and established equal shared parental responsibility between the father and mother. The court further ordered that each party would be responsible for the day-to-day care, welfare, and development of the child when the child was in their care, with the child to live with the father.

The court was required to determine the appropriate parenting arrangements for the child, considering the evidence and submissions presented. A significant factor in the proceedings was the mother's failure to attend court to adduce evidence and make submissions regarding parenting orders.

Justice Austin reasoned that, in the absence of the mother's attendance and evidence, the court could not make further parenting orders beyond those already determined. The court applied the principles governing parenting orders under the relevant Act, including provisions for equal shared parental responsibility and the child's living arrangements. The court also dismissed outstanding applications and the Independent Children's Lawyer's oral application for costs against the applicant father.

The final orders discharged all former parenting orders, established equal shared parental responsibility, and stipulated that the child would live with the father, with each parent responsible for the child's care when in their custody. The Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged upon the expiration of the appeal period, and documents produced by subpoena were to be returned. The court noted that the mother was at liberty to bring further proceedings regarding aspects of parenting arrangements not determined by these orders if the parties could not reach an amicable agreement.