Okay, so in my personal experience, the Court process can be an extraordinary motivator for reaching consent orders. 95% of cases that commence are settled by consent, and usually for better than what the respondent party is arguing.
My husband's case was originally 5/9, then I came along and ex forced it to be 3/11. He started proceedings seeking 7/7, she responded seeking 3/11 continuing. Ten months and $25,000 in her legal fees later with further potential costs of $10,000 if we proceeded to trial, ex ended up agreeing to 7/7, and if didn't cost us anything.
Just a thought.
Regarding the 'offer' of 14 days of holiday time each year, you should reject it. It should be half of all gazetted holiday periods, including the long summer break. That's what the Court orders as a standard except where there are mitigating circumstances such as one party living abroad. There's absolutely no reason to settle for less than that.
My husband's case was originally 5/9, then I came along and ex forced it to be 3/11. He started proceedings seeking 7/7, she responded seeking 3/11 continuing. Ten months and $25,000 in her legal fees later with further potential costs of $10,000 if we proceeded to trial, ex ended up agreeing to 7/7, and if didn't cost us anything.
Just a thought.
Regarding the 'offer' of 14 days of holiday time each year, you should reject it. It should be half of all gazetted holiday periods, including the long summer break. That's what the Court orders as a standard except where there are mitigating circumstances such as one party living abroad. There's absolutely no reason to settle for less than that.