Sandis and Feltham

In the matter of Sandis and Feltham, heard by Judge Young, the dispute concerned parenting orders for two children, X (born 2004) and Y (born 2008). The children had expressed to their Independent Children's Lawyer a reluctance or unwillingness to spend time or communicate with their father. The mother, while acknowledging the children's current views, remained open to future contact with the father should the children's perspectives change.

The court was required to determine the future living arrangements and parental responsibility for the children. Specifically, the court needed to consider the children's stated wishes and the implications for their time with each parent, as well as the allocation of parental responsibility.

Judge Young ordered the discharge of all previous parenting orders. The children were to live with the mother, who was granted sole parental responsibility for X. For Y, the parties were to have equal shared parental responsibility. The children were to spend time with the father at times as may be agreed between the parties in writing. The appointment of the Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged, and all other extant applications were dismissed.