Wang & Dennison (No 2)

This matter before Bennett J concerned parenting orders for two children, S and N. The dispute involved the father's parental responsibility and his ability to communicate with and see the children, who were to live with the wife.

The court was required to determine the extent of parental responsibility to be afforded to each parent, the living arrangements for the children, and the nature and extent of the father's communication and contact with them. Further issues included the father's access to information regarding the children's education and wellbeing, and the role of a family consultant in facilitating potential future contact.

Bennett J ordered that both the mother and father share parental responsibility for the children, who were to live with the wife. The father was granted liberty to communicate with the children through letters on specific occasions and as otherwise requested by the children. The court also made detailed orders regarding the children's attendance upon a family consultant to facilitate the father's opportunity to assure the children of his continued welcome and interest in their lives. The father was to be kept informed of the children's residential and school details, and the mother was to inform him of any medical emergencies. The father was also at liberty to contact schools for progress reports and to receive information customarily provided to parents, with the discretion of school officers to convey any interest from the children in seeing or communicating with him. The independent children's lawyer's role was to convey specific information to the schools regarding the father's parental responsibility and entitlement to school reports. The court noted that there was no order requiring the children to spend time with the father.