Rimmington and Healey

The parties to this matter were Mr Rimmington and Mr Healey, with Stevenson J presiding in the court. The dispute concerned variations to existing orders, specifically relating to contact arrangements for children. The court was required to determine the appropriate schedule for contact between the children and their parents, considering the geographical locations of D Town and Sydney.

The central legal issue before the court was how to best structure and implement a contact regime that accommodated the practicalities of distance and the needs of the children. This involved considering the frequency and duration of contact, as well as the specific days and times for such contact to occur in different locations. The court also had to consider the practical implications of the proposed arrangements, including the allocation of specific fortnights for contact in each location.

Stevenson J varied the previous orders to establish a new contact schedule. This schedule involved three days of contact each fortnight, commencing from 23 July 2010. For three out of every four fortnights, contact would take place in D Town from 12:00 noon to 7:00 pm on Friday, and from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. In the fourth fortnight, contact would occur in Sydney from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. The judge also noted a personal view that the proceedings should not have been allocated to her docket.