Cassidy and Wells and Ors

The case of *Cassidy and Wells* involved an application concerning the parental responsibility and living arrangements for two children, E and T. The parties before the court were the applicant paternal grandmother, the second respondent mother, and the third respondent maternal grandmother. The dispute centred on the future care and upbringing of the children.

The court was required to determine the appropriate orders for parental responsibility, the children's residence, and the time they would spend with each of the involved parties. This included considering the specific arrangements for school holidays, regular contact, and the implications of the paternal grandmother's potential relocation. The court also had to address ancillary matters such as notification of medical events, access to school and medical information, and the children's surname.

Foster J ordered the discharge of all previous orders concerning the children. Equal shared parental responsibility was granted to the applicant paternal grandmother, the second respondent mother, and the third respondent maternal grandmother. The children were ordered to live with the third respondent maternal grandmother. Specific provisions were made for the paternal grandmother to spend time with the children, including during school holidays and, upon her relocation, during school terms with defined weekend and weekday contact. The court also stipulated that the second respondent mother was not to permanently reside with the third respondent maternal grandmother, though limited overnight stays were permitted. Further orders addressed communication, notification of medical events, and access to children's information.