By Craig Nicol and Keleigh Robinson -
Key decisions
- Pickford [2024] FedCFamC1A 249
- Radecki & Radecki [2024] FedCFamC1A 246
- Oldham & Krantz (No 2) [2024] FedCFamC1A 238
- Pedersen & Pederson [2024] FedCFamC1A 229
CHILDREN
Parental conflict and family violence not the same thing – trial judge erred by finding father’s litigious conduct amounted to coercive control
In Pickford [2024] FedCFamC1A 249 (20 December 2024), the Full Bench of the Full Court (McClelland DCJ, Aldridge, Austin, Carew and Williams JJ) allowed an appeal from parenting orders made by Altobelli J in respect of two children; one nine and the other seven years old.
At first instance, the Court found the father engaged in family violence by coercive control of the mother and that conflict between the parents meant equal time was not in the children’s best interests. The father appealed.
All of the Full Bench allowed the appeal but their reasons were divided.