Bletch and Douglas (No. 3)

Justice Le Poer Trench considered an application by the father for a stay of orders made on 3 March 2008, pending his appeal to the Full Court. The father had filed his appeal on 6 March 2008.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether to grant a stay of the previous orders, and if so, upon what conditions. This involved assessing the balance of convenience and the merits of the appeal, as well as ensuring the appeal was prosecuted diligently and expeditiously.

His Honour granted the stay of the orders made on 3 March 2008 until the earlier of the Full Court hearing the father's appeal or the close of Court business on 21 April 2008. The stay was conditional upon the father diligently prosecuting the appeal, pressing his application for expedition, being prepared to have the appeal heard at any location in Australia appointed by the Full Court, and prosecuting the appeal on the date appointed. Justice Le Poer Trench also requested that the Full Court afford whatever expedition was available for the hearing of the appeal.