Sleeman and Sleeman

This matter concerned orders made by Le Poer Trench J regarding a child born in April 2001. The dispute involved the parental responsibilities and contact arrangements between the child's mother and father.

The court was required to determine the appropriate orders for parental responsibility, the father's time with the child, communication protocols between the parents, and measures to ensure the child's welfare and psychological well-being. Specific issues included the extent of the mother's sole parental responsibility, the nature and frequency of the father's contact, and the role of external agencies such as a contact centre and the child's treating psychologist. The court also considered provisions for future applications and the consequences of contravening the orders.

Le Poer Trench J discharged prior orders and made new directions, granting the mother sole parental responsibility. The father's time with the child was significantly restricted to supervised contact for two hours per month at a designated contact service. The court mandated specific communication methods between the parents, including email and mail, and imposed restrictions on the mother moving the child outside the Sydney Metropolitan Area without prior notice. Provisions were made for the father to receive school documents and for the mother to inform him of any emergencies involving the child. The court also ordered attendance at a contact centre, publication of psychological reports, and an appointment with the child's psychologist to explain the orders. The father was restrained from approaching the mother or child outside of the ordered contact times, with provisions for future applications by the father after the child turned eleven. The orders also detailed the consequences of contravention, including suspension of contact for failure to provide adequate notice of absence.