Wilkinson and Hedley

In the matter of *Wilkinson and Hedley*, heard by Judge Scarlett, the dispute concerned parenting arrangements for four children: W, X, Y, and Z. The court was required to make orders regarding the children's living arrangements, time spent with each parent, communication, and general welfare.

The legal issues before the court included determining the most appropriate orders for equal shared parental responsibility, establishing specific living arrangements for each child, and outlining the time each child would spend with the respective parents, including during school holidays. The court also had to consider provisions for communication between the children and the non-resident parent, and address broader welfare concerns such as drug use by parents, parental criticism of each other, physical discipline, school attendance, and the provision of school-related information. A significant issue was the independent representation of the children's interests.

The court ordered that all previous parenting orders be suspended and that the parents have equal shared parental responsibility. W, Y, and Z were to live with the Mother, while X was to live with the Father. Detailed provisions were made for the children's time with the non-resident parent, including specific holiday periods and regular telephone communication during school terms and on days of special significance. Injunctions were imposed on both parents, restraining them from consuming illicit drugs when children are in their care, criticising the other parent in the children's presence, or using physical discipline. Both parents were also ordered to ensure regular school attendance and to provide school information to the other parent. Crucially, the court ordered that the children's interests be independently represented by a lawyer, requesting Legal Aid New South Wales to arrange this, and directed the parties to provide relevant documents to the appointed Independent Children's Lawyer. Both parents were also required to undertake monthly urine drug screening at the request of the Independent Children's Lawyer.