Norrie & Norrie & Anor

In the matter of *Norrie & Norrie & Anor*, heard by Judge Scarlett, the applicant, an adult sister, sought parenting orders in respect of her 14-year-old brother. The dispute concerned interim parenting orders, specifically the question of parental responsibility, and whether the applicant had standing to bring such an application. The father of the child resided in Vietnam, and the mother had not attended court.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether the applicant was a "person concerned with the care, welfare or development of the child" for the purposes of the relevant legislation, thereby establishing jurisdiction to make parenting orders, and whether she had made out a prima facie case to proceed with her application. The court was also required to determine the interim parenting arrangements, including the question of sole parental responsibility.

Judge Scarlett reasoned that the applicant had satisfied the threshold test for standing, demonstrating a prima facie case that she was a person concerned with the child's care, welfare, and development. The court applied the principles of the best interests of the child in considering the interim orders. Consequently, the court granted the applicant leave to proceed ex parte, dispensed with service on the second respondent, and declared that the applicant was a person concerned with the child's care, welfare, and development.

The court ordered that the applicant, Ms Norrie, have sole parental responsibility for the child, encompassing long-term decisions regarding schooling, medical and dental care, and the child's residence, until further order. The Respondent Mother was directed to file and serve a response and affidavit within 28 days, and the applicant was to forward a copy of the orders to the mother's last-known address. The application was listed for an undefended hearing on 6 July 2015, with a warning to the Respondent Mother that orders could be made in her absence.