Buckingham and Simm

This matter concerned parenting orders for two children, X and Y, born in 2004 and 2008 respectively. The dispute between the parents, Buckingham and Simm, was brought before Judge Williams.

The court was required to determine the arrangements for the children's living situation, parental responsibility, education, and medical care. Specific issues included the division of time between parents during school terms and holidays, arrangements for birthdays and Christmas, and the children's schooling and psychological support. The court also had to consider communication protocols between the parents and restrictions on their conduct towards each other in the children's presence.

Judge Williams discharged all previous parenting orders and established equal shared parental responsibility. The orders detailed a complex week-about living arrangement during school terms, with specific provisions for school holidays, including Christmas. The court mandated that X attend a particular school for secondary education and Y attend a specific primary and then secondary school. Crucially, the parents were ordered to facilitate counselling and education for the children regarding the mother's psychiatric condition, with costs shared equally. The court also outlined arrangements for the children's general practitioner, communication between parents, exchange of school-related items, and restrictions on denigrating the other parent or discussing proceedings with the children. Furthermore, the court ordered that the children's passports be obtained and lodged with the court. Finally, the father was ordered to pay half of the children's school fees, uniforms, excursions, and textbooks.