Stilton and Neville (No 2)

In the matter of Stilton and Neville (No 2), Harper J considered an application concerning parenting arrangements for a child, X. The proceedings involved the father, the applicant, and the mother, the respondent. The dispute centred on the future parental responsibility and living arrangements for the child.

The court was required to determine the appropriate parenting orders to be made, considering the welfare of the child. This included deciding on sole parental responsibility, where the child would live, the discharge of existing parenting orders, and the dismissal of pending applications. Additionally, the court needed to address the need for protection orders for the respondent mother and the extent of future communication between the parents regarding the child.

Harper J made orders reflecting the minute sought by the mother, with modifications incorporating provisions from the Independent Children’s Lawyer’s proposal. These orders granted the mother sole parental responsibility and stipulated that the child live with her, while discharging all existing parenting orders and dismissing pending applications. The court also issued protective orders preventing the father from assaulting, molesting, harassing, threatening, intimidating, or stalking the mother or persons with whom she has a domestic relationship, and prohibiting him from entering premises where she resides or works. Contact with the mother was restricted to through her legal representative or as otherwise agreed or permitted by law. The mother was ordered to provide the father with a photograph and progress summary of the child annually, but was not required to provide a forwarding or responding email address for this purpose. The court also included particulars of obligations and consequences for contravention of these orders pursuant to s 65DA(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).