GR v Secretary, Department of Communities and Justice

The applicant, GR, sought leave to appeal and an expedited appeal against interlocutory decisions made by the Children's Court of New South Wales in care proceedings concerning her child. The respondent was the Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice. The dispute centred on whether a care order should be stayed, and whether orders should be made allowing the child to live with the mother or to have daily contact. The applicant also sought the invocation of the *parens patriae* jurisdiction.

The primary legal issue before the Court of Appeal was whether the Children's Court had erred in its interlocutory decisions regarding the care order, the child's living arrangements, and contact. This involved considering the threshold for granting a stay of a care order and the principles governing the exercise of the *parens patriae* jurisdiction in such circumstances.

Simpson AJA dismissed the notice of motion, indicating that the applications for leave to appeal and the appeal itself were not successful on their merits. The court ordered that the applicant pay the respondent's costs.