SOWLER & EDMONDSON

This matter concerned parenting orders made by Faulks DCJ in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. The dispute involved the mother, Ms Sowler, and the father, Mr Edmondson, regarding the upbringing and care of their three children. The court was required to determine the specific arrangements for parental responsibility, living arrangements, and time spent between the children and each parent, as well as communication protocols and welfare considerations.

The court's reasoning focused on establishing a structured and phased approach to the children's time with their father, commencing with supervised contact and gradually transitioning to unsupervised arrangements. This phased approach was designed to facilitate the children's adjustment to spending time with their father. The orders also addressed communication between the parents, including telephone contact and the exchange of information regarding the children's schooling and medical welfare. Crucially, the court imposed a restriction on the father concerning illicit drug use prior to and during his contact with the children, pursuant to relevant sections of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).

The final orders stipulated that the mother would have sole parental responsibility, with the children living primarily with her. The father's time with the children was to be gradually increased over three stages, with the father's mother initially present during contact. The orders also detailed specific arrangements for holidays, telephone contact, and the exchange of information about the children's welfare. A specific clause restrained the father from consuming illicit drugs for a period before and during his time with the children.