SYMON & SYMON

The case of SYMON & SYMON concerned parenting orders for a child born in 2008. The dispute involved the arrangements for the child's living arrangements, time spent with each parent, and related matters. The decision was made by Austin J.

The court was required to determine the specific terms of parenting orders, including the discharge of previous orders, the establishment of equal shared parental responsibility, and the detailed schedule for the child's time with each parent. This encompassed living arrangements, time spent during weekdays, weekends, special days, and school holidays, as well as provisions for international travel, communication between parents and the child, and parental communication with each other and with the child's educational and health professionals. The court also considered provisions regarding the child's schooling and the conduct of the parents towards each other in the child's presence.

Austin J discharged all previous parenting orders and made new orders establishing equal shared parental responsibility. The orders detailed a phased transition of the child's primary residence from the mother to the father, commencing on 27 December 2016. Specific arrangements were set out for weekdays, weekends, birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and school holidays, with detailed provisions for calculating holiday periods and managing changeovers. The court also included comprehensive clauses regarding international travel, communication protocols between parents and with the child, and the exchange of information concerning the child's health and education. Provisions were also made for the child's schooling and extracurricular activities, along with prohibitions against denigration and discussion of proceedings in the child's presence.

The court ordered the discharge of all previous parenting orders and established new orders for equal shared parental responsibility. The child's living arrangements were to transition from the mother to the father from 27 December 2016. Specific provisions were made for the child's time with each parent, including detailed schedules for weekdays, weekends, special days, and school holidays. The orders also addressed international travel, communication, schooling, and parental conduct. No order was made as to costs, and the Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged upon the expiration of any applicable appeal period.