Stormount and Stormount and Ors

The proceedings involved the applicant mother, the interveners (paternal grandparents), and the Independent Children’s Lawyer, concerning the living arrangements and time spent with the child, H. The court was Austin J.

The primary legal issues before the court were to determine the orders regarding the child H's residence, parental responsibility, and the specific arrangements for the child to spend time with his paternal grandparents. The court was also required to consider the implications of contravening these orders and the role of the Independent Children’s Lawyer.

The court made orders by consent of all parties. These orders stipulated that the child H would live with the mother and that the mother would have sole parental responsibility. The paternal grandparents were granted specific periods of time with the child, including on certain weekends, during school holidays, and on particular annual dates like Christmas Day and Father's Day. The court also made provisions for the paternal grandparents to attend and ensure the child's participation in extra-curricular activities and outlined the arrangements for the child's collection and delivery. Crucially, the mother, father, and paternal grandparents were restrained from allowing the child any contact or communication with the child's father, Mr C Stormount. The court also noted that particulars of obligations, consequences of contravention, and assistance to comply were set out in an attached Fact Sheet, forming part of the orders. The Independent Children’s Lawyer was to be discharged upon the expiry of the appeal period, and all outstanding applications were dismissed.