Trent & James

In the matter of *Trent & James*, Young J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application concerning the living arrangements and parental responsibility for a child, K, born in May 1996. The dispute involved the child's parents and paternal grandparents, with the paternal grandparents seeking orders for K to live with them.

The court was required to determine with whom K should live, the nature of parental responsibility, and the time each parent would spend with K. Additionally, the court had to consider injunctive orders relating to the conduct of the parents and their contact with K, as well as the involvement of a Mr S. The court also addressed the need for K to receive counselling and for the parents to attend a parenting course.

Young J ordered that previous parenting orders be discharged and that the paternal grandparents have equal shared parental responsibility for K. K was ordered to live with the paternal grandparents, who were granted sole responsibility for K's day-to-day decision-making. The court then set out detailed provisions for the time the Applicant Father and Respondent Mother would spend with K, including specific weekend and holiday arrangements, and telephone communication. Crucially, the court imposed injunctions restraining both parents from using illicit substances or being under the influence of alcohol in the 24 hours prior to and during any time spent with K, and from knowingly bringing K into contact with individuals under the influence of illicit substances or alcohol, with an exception for the paternal grandparents. The court also ordered counselling for K and the completion of a parenting course by each parent.