SIMPSON & MITFORD

The case of *Simpson & Mitford* concerned orders made by Stevenson J in relation to a child, B, born in 2002. The dispute involved the parental responsibilities and living arrangements for the child, as well as the child's name and surname.

The court was required to determine the extent of parental responsibility each parent would have, where the child would live, and the nature and frequency of the child's time with each parent. Further issues included the child's communication with the father, amendments to the child's birth certificate to reflect the father's name and surname change, and the provision of information regarding the child's health and education. The court also needed to address the consequences of contravening the orders made.

Stevenson J ordered that all existing orders concerning the child be discharged. The mother was granted sole parental responsibility, with the obligation to provide the father with written notice of major decisions regarding the child's care, welfare, and development within seven days of making such decisions. The child was ordered to live with the mother, with specific arrangements for the child to spend time with the father during school holidays and on weekends. The court also ordered that the child communicate with the father by telephone twice per week. Crucially, the court ordered amendments to the child's birth certificate to include "Mr Simpson" as the father and to change the child's surname from "Allen" to "Simpson". Both parties were directed to facilitate these changes and to advise each other of any major illness or accident suffered by the child. The orders also stipulated the particulars of obligations, consequences of contravention, and sources of assistance, as detailed in an attached Fact Sheet.