Wilkins and Springfield

In the matter of *Wilkins and Springfield*, heard by Judge Scarlett, the dispute concerned the welfare and living arrangements of a child, X, born in 2010. The proceedings involved an application by the Applicant Mother and the Respondent Father regarding their parental responsibilities and the child's time with each parent.

The court was required to determine several key issues, including the immediate return of the child to the mother's care, the establishment of equal shared parental responsibility, and the specific arrangements for the child's time with the father. Furthermore, the court needed to address the parents' conduct, specifically concerning drug use and denigration of the other parent in the child's presence, and to consider the independent representation of the child's interests.

Judge Scarlett made orders reflecting a determination to ensure the child's immediate safety and well-being, mandating the child's return to the mother and establishing equal shared parental responsibility. The court imposed injunctions restraining both parents from consuming illicit drugs when the child is in their care or for 12 hours prior, and from criticising or denigrating the other parent in the child's presence. To facilitate a resolution and ensure the child's interests were paramount, the court directed the parents to attend a child dispute conference and ordered the independent representation of the child by a lawyer, requesting Legal Aid New South Wales to arrange this. The parents were also ordered to provide urine drug screens monthly and to exchange relevant court documents. The application was adjourned for a further mention.