Sealy and Sealy

The case of Sealy and Sealy involved interim parenting orders and trial management orders made by Tree J in the Family Court of Australia. The dispute concerned the parenting arrangements for three children, X, Y, and Z, and the management of the upcoming trial.

The court was required to determine the specific interim time arrangements for the children with their father, including during school terms and holiday periods, as well as on birthdays. Additionally, the court needed to establish a comprehensive timetable for the conduct of the trial, including setting trial dates, managing the payment of trial fees, defining the issues to be considered, regulating the application of evidence rules, and setting deadlines for the filing and service of affidavits, expert evidence, objections, and case management documents.

Tree J made interim orders detailing the specific days and times the children X, Y, and Z were to spend with their father, both during school terms and holiday periods, with provisions for overnight stays under certain conditions. The court also set a trial commencement date of 25 February 2019, estimating a five-day hearing, and outlined a detailed procedural roadmap for the parties to prepare for trial. This included rules regarding expert evidence, the filing of affidavits, the preparation of agreed bundles of documents, and the submission of case outlines and balance sheets. The court also scheduled a compliance hearing before a Registrar.