Nl v Chief Executive of the Department for Child Protection

The appeal concerned a dispute between Nl and the Chief Executive of the Department for Child Protection regarding costs orders made in proceedings under the *Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017* (SA) (the Safety Act). The matter came before the Full Court of the Supreme Court of South Australia.

The central legal issues before the Full Court were whether the court had the power to make costs orders in relation to a "Principal Application" and an "Interlocutory Application" under rule 11(2)(q) of the General Rules, and if so, whether that power was properly exercised. The court was required to determine the proper construction and application of section 60 of the Safety Act and rule 11(2)(q) of the General Rules in the context of child protection proceedings.

The Full Court reasoned that the discretionary power to make costs orders under rule 11(2)(q) did not apply to the Principal Application. Furthermore, the court found that there was no scope for the operation of rule 11(2)(q) in relation to the Interlocutory Application. Despite granting an extension of time and permission to appeal due to the general importance of the issues raised, the court ultimately dismissed the appeals, concluding that the grounds of appeal had not been made out.