Christopher Harley Bird

This is a costs decision following a trial on custody, access, and child support issues.

The applicant sought full recovery costs, arguing she was the successful party and that the respondent refused reasonable settlement offers.

The respondent argued the custody outcome was mixed, with the applicant not obtaining unrestricted sole custody as sought, and that his offers to settle were reasonable.

The court awarded the applicant $9,000 in costs, payable in 24 monthly installments, with $2,250 enforceable as child support through the Family Responsibility Office.

A trial decision on custody, access, and child support for an eight-year-old child born to parents who separated in 2008.

The applicant mother sought sole custody with regular access to the respondent father.

The respondent father sought joint custody with a parallel parenting regime where he would have exclusive decision-making authority over education while the applicant would have authority over extracurricular activities.

The court found that the parties had demonstrated poor judgment in exposing the child to their ongoing conflict and were unable to cooperate effectively.

The court awarded sole custody to the applicant mother, finding her to be the primary caregiver, while granting the respondent father substantial access rights on a rotating three-week schedule.

The court also ordered child support and addressed special expenses under section 7 of the Child Support Guidelines.