Bletch & Douglas (No 2)

The matter of *Bletch & Douglas (No 2)* came before Loughnan J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The proceedings concerned parenting orders that had previously been made, including orders registered from the Superior Court of the State of California. The central issue before the court was the effect of the child, B, attaining the age of 18 years.

The court was required to determine whether existing parenting orders, including those of foreign origin registered in Australia, continued to have effect once the child reached the age of majority. A consequential issue was the appropriate action to be taken regarding the child's name being on an Airport Watch List.

Loughnan J noted that upon a child attaining the age of 18 years, all parenting orders made by the court automatically cease to have effect. This principle applied irrespective of the origin of the orders, including those registered from overseas courts. Consequently, the court ordered that the child B's name be removed from the Airport Watch List by the Australian Federal Police. All outstanding applications and responses were dismissed, and the proceedings were removed from the active case list.