Sloan and Sloan

In the matter of *Sloan and Sloan*, Austin J considered applications concerning the parenting arrangements for two children, B and C. The dispute centred on the children's living arrangements, time spent with each parent, and related issues of communication, information sharing, and international travel.

The court was required to determine the appropriate orders for parental responsibility, the children's residence, and the specific time each parent would spend with the children. Further issues included the exchange of information regarding the children's welfare, communication protocols, and restrictions on removing the children from Australia. The court also addressed the costs associated with the Independent Children's Lawyer.

Austin J ordered the discharge of all former orders concerning the children and established equal shared parental responsibility. The children were ordered to live with the mother, with detailed provisions for the father's time during school terms and holidays. The court also made orders regarding the collection and return of the children, the sharing of information about their health and schooling, and communication between the parents and children. Crucially, the parties were restrained from denigrating each other in the children's hearing and from removing the children from Australia without the other's written consent. The father was ordered to pay a portion of the Independent Children's Lawyer's costs, as was the mother, with parties' own costs reserved.