Henty and Sullivan

In the Family Court of Australia, Mr Henty (the applicant father) sought an urgent review of a listing decision made by a Registrar, and an abridgement of hearing dates. Ms Sullivan was the respondent mother, and an Independent Children's Lawyer was also involved. The matter was heard ex-parte by Young J.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether to grant the father's application for an urgent review of the Registrar's listing decision and to abridge existing hearing dates. The court also considered the procedural requirements for such applications, particularly concerning service on the respondent parties.

Young J refused to proceed with the review or abridge the hearing dates. His Honour reasoned that the father's application had not been served on the respondent mother or the Independent Children's Lawyer, and therefore, it was inappropriate to hear the matter ex-parte. The court emphasised that any attempt to bring forward the contravention application would need to be made on 23 August 2011, when all parties were present and could be heard.

The father's Application in a Case filed on 8 August 2011 was dismissed. The court directed that the extempore reasons for judgment be transcribed and made available to all parties.