Wright and Adams

This matter came before Forrest J concerning disputes between the parents, Wright and Adams, regarding their children. The proceedings involved contraventions of previous court orders by the mother, and the court was required to determine appropriate orders for the children's living arrangements, communication with their father, and dispute resolution.

The court was tasked with determining the consequences of the mother's contravention of prior orders, specifically in relation to the children's telephone communication with their father. Furthermore, the court needed to establish new orders for the children's equal shared care arrangements, including the specifics of holiday and school term transitions, and to address the method of transition between parents. Finally, the court was to consider the inclusion of a mediation clause for future disputes concerning major long-term issues.

Forrest J ordered that, as compensation for lost telephone communication due to the mother's contravention, the children would have an additional 45-minute telephone call with their father, to be chosen by him within one month of the orders, with two days' written notice to the mother. The previous recovery order was discharged. The court then varied the existing orders to implement an equal shared care arrangement, detailing specific provisions for school holidays and school terms, including a week-about arrangement during term time and a structured approach to holiday transitions. A new paragraph was added mandating mediation for unresolved major long-term issues before court proceedings could commence. No order was made as to costs.