Guan and Abbadi

In the matter of *Guan and Abbadi*, heard before McClelland J, the dispute concerned the father's alleged contravention of court orders relating to the return of a child, B, born in 2011, to Australia from the Middle East.

The court was required to determine whether the father had contravened Order 3 of the orders made on 7 September 2016, and if so, whether he had a reasonable excuse for such contravention. Furthermore, the court needed to assess the seriousness of any contravention for the purposes of Division 13A of Part VII of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).

McClelland J found that the father had contravened Order 3 of the existing orders without reasonable excuse by failing to take all necessary steps to ensure the child's return to Australia. The court determined this contravention to be serious under the relevant provisions of the Act. The matter was adjourned for a hearing on the question of penalty, with costs also reserved. The respondent was directed to file and serve a Notice of Address for Service within seven days. The court also noted that the parties had been invited to consider consulting International Social Services Australia or a similar organisation for assistance in mediating issues concerning the child's return.