Ridducio and Rider

In the matter of *Ridducio and Rider*, Kent J of the Family Court of Australia considered a dispute between an applicant maternal aunt and the respondent. The specific nature of the dispute is not detailed, but the orders indicate it involved children and was being heard in the Family Court.

The primary legal issue before the court was the appropriate forum for the proceedings. This involved a consideration of section 33B of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), which governs the transfer of proceedings between courts exercising jurisdiction under the Act. The court also had to determine whether the applicant should be granted leave to seek an undefended hearing.

Kent J ordered that the proceedings be transferred to the Federal Circuit Court pursuant to section 33B of the *Family Law Act 1975*. The matter was listed for mention before Judge Baumann on 31 July 2014. The applicant maternal aunt was granted leave to make an application to Judge Baumann on that date seeking to have the matter heard and determined on an undefended basis. Consequently, a directions hearing previously listed before the Registrar on 16 October 2014 was vacated.