Grant and Aiden (No 9)

In the matter of Grant and Aiden (No 9), Cronin J of the Family Court of Australia considered a dispute between a mother and a father concerning their child, V. The proceedings involved an application for a recovery order for the child.

The court was required to determine whether to issue a recovery order for the child V, authorising law enforcement to locate and deliver the child to the father. The court also had to consider the terms of compensatory time for the father and the future care arrangements for the child, as well as a contravention application.

Cronin J ordered that the mother deliver the child V to the father at a specified time and location. A recovery order was issued pursuant to s.67U of the *Family Law Act 1975*, authorising law enforcement to find and recover the child and deliver them to the father. The recovery order was to be held by the Registry but released for execution if the mother failed to comply with the delivery order. The court also made orders for the child to remain with the father for a period of 21 days by way of compensatory time, and thereafter until further order. The contravention application was dismissed, and outstanding applications for interim and substantive relief were adjourned for determination. The court noted that the recovery order was inconsistent with a domestic violence order issued by a Queensland Magistrates’ Court.