CASTRO & PAULSON

This matter concerned an application by the father to re-open litigation concerning parenting orders, invoking the rule established in *Rice v Asplund*. The dispute centred on the father's desire to revisit existing parenting arrangements. The application was heard by Judge Lapthorn.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the circumstances warranted the re-opening of final parenting orders, applying the principles articulated in *Rice v Asplund*. This required the court to consider whether there had been a significant change in the circumstances of the child since the making of the last final orders, and whether it would be in the child's best interests to permit the re-litigation of the parenting dispute.

Judge Lapthorn dismissed the father's application. The court found that the threshold for re-opening final parenting orders, as established in *Rice v Asplund*, had not been met. The reasoning focused on the absence of a significant change in circumstances that would justify disturbing the finality of the previous orders, and the paramount consideration of the child's welfare.

Consequently, the Further Amended Initiating Application filed on 13 August 2020 was dismissed. The court also ordered the father to file written submissions regarding costs within 21 days, with the mother to file submissions in reply within a further 14 days.