PILLAI & SHARMA

In the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, Judge Scarlett considered an application by the Applicant Mother, Ms Pillai, against the Respondent Father, Mr Sharma, concerning their child, [X]. The dispute centred on the parental responsibility and living arrangements for the child, and the urgent need for the child's return to the Applicant's care.

The court was required to determine whether to grant the Applicant leave to proceed ex parte, the appropriate orders regarding parental responsibility and the child's residence, and whether to issue a recovery order for the child. Additionally, the court considered the necessity of an injunction for the personal protection of the Applicant Mother and an order restraining the removal of the child from the Commonwealth of Australia.

Judge Scarlett granted leave to proceed ex parte, acknowledging the urgency of the situation. The court ordered that the Applicant Mother have sole parental responsibility for the child and that the child live with her. A recovery order was issued pursuant to section 67Q of the *Family Law Act 1975*, directing law enforcement agencies to locate and return the child to the Applicant. Furthermore, the court made orders restraining both parties from removing the child from Australia and placed the child on the Family Law Watchlist. An injunction was also granted under section 68B of the *Family Law Act 1975* to protect the Applicant Mother from the Respondent. The matter was adjourned for further mention.