Ward and Merry (No 2)

In the matter of *Ward and Merry (No 2)*, Justice Ryan of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia considered a dispute between the applicant mother, Ms Ward, and the respondent father, Mr Merry, concerning parenting orders for their two children, L and E. The proceedings involved significant allegations impacting the children's welfare and the mother's safety.

The court was required to determine the most appropriate parenting arrangements for the children, specifically addressing issues of parental responsibility, living arrangements, and contact with the father. Furthermore, the court had to consider whether to grant protective orders for the mother against the father's conduct.

Justice Ryan's reasoning led to the discharge of all prior parenting orders and injunctions. The court found it necessary to grant the mother sole parental responsibility for the children and ordered that the children live with her. Crucially, the father was prohibited from communicating with or spending time with the children, an order deemed essential for their personal protection. Additionally, the court issued injunctions restraining the father from assaulting, molesting, harassing, stalking, abusing, or otherwise interfering with the mother, and from entering or loitering near her residence or place of work or study.