LEVINE-FERBER & LEVINE

The Federal Circuit Court of Australia, presided over by Scarlett J, considered an application for a declaration of parentage and child support costs. The applicant, LEVINE-FERBER, sought these declarations against the respondent, LEVINE. The respondent did not attend court for the hearing.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether to grant a declaration of parentage in the absence of the respondent, and consequently, to make orders regarding the costs of the child. The court was required to determine if it had sufficient evidence to make these declarations and orders, particularly given the respondent's default.

Scarlett J applied the principles governing default of appearance under the Federal Circuit Court Rules 2001, specifically rule 13.03C. The court considered the evidence presented by the applicant to satisfy itself of the parentage and the reasonableness of the claimed costs. Having been satisfied on these points, the court proceeded with the hearing and made the necessary declarations and orders.