Buckley and Buckley

In the matter of *Buckley and Buckley*, heard before Kent J of the Family Court of Australia, the parties sought directions regarding the inspection of documents and the adjournment of proceedings. The dispute involved an application for final orders, with a particular focus on the method of service of relevant materials upon the Mother.

The court was required to determine whether to grant leave for the parties to inspect documents produced on subpoenae issued to the Department of Education, Training and Employment and the Brisbane Catholic Education Centre. Furthermore, the court needed to consider an application to dispense with personal service upon the Mother and to grant an order for substituted service, given the circumstances of the case.

Kent J ordered that the parties be granted leave to inspect the subpoenaed documents. The proceedings were adjourned for a final hearing before Justice Bell. Crucially, the court made an order pursuant to Rule 7.18 of the *Family Law Rules 2004* dispensing with personal service on the Mother. Substituted service was deemed effected by the Father's solicitor mailing a copy of the order and a letter to the Mother's last known residential address, and also by mailing the same documents to the maternal grandmother at that address. The court noted that if the Mother did not appear at the adjourned hearing, the matter might proceed on an undefended basis.