Chranley and Smart

In *Chranley and Smart*, Dawe J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application for final orders in family law proceedings. The dispute concerned parenting arrangements, with the mother having filed an initiating application on 22 October 2009.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether to proceed with hearing the mother's application for final orders on an undefended basis.

Dawe J determined that the court had jurisdiction to hear the application. The judge reasoned that the mother's application was the only outstanding matter seeking final orders and that it was appropriate to proceed on an undefended basis. The court's decision reflects the principle that it can make final orders in family law matters even where one party is not actively participating in the proceedings, provided the necessary procedural steps have been taken.

The Court ordered that it would continue to hear the only outstanding application for final orders on an undefended basis, being the response to the initiating application filed by the mother on 22 October 2009.