Re: Addison

In the matter of Re: Addison, the applicant mother sought orders for Stage 2 treatment of gender dysphoria for her child, Addison. The father was not a party to the proceedings and had not been served, leading the mother to seek to proceed on an ex parte basis. The proceedings came before Howard J in the Family Court of Australia.

The primary legal issues before the Court were whether an Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) should be appointed to represent the child and whether the proceedings should be conducted in a closed courtroom. The Court was also required to consider the mother's application to proceed ex parte and her ability to attend future hearings by telephone.

Howard J determined that it was in the child's best interests to be represented by an ICL, and directed that the Solicitor for the ICL arrange such representation. The Court also ordered that the proceedings be conducted in a closed courtroom pursuant to s 97(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) until further order. The mother was granted leave to file further written submissions and permitted to apply to attend the next hearing by telephone, subject to consulting the ICL on her position and informing the Court of the ICL's view.

The matter was adjourned for further hearing on 20 April 2021.