Shailer & Shailer

In the matter of *Shailer & Shailer*, Brown J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application by the State Central Authority pursuant to the *Family Law (Child Abduction) Regulations 1986* (the Hague application), filed on 11 October 2007. This application was made in the context of existing proceedings filed by the wife on 17 April 2007, seeking orders under the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the Hague application should be stayed pending the determination of the wife's substantive proceedings. The court was also required to manage the various applications and hearing dates related to both the child abduction matter and the ongoing financial and parenting proceedings between the parties.

Brown J reasoned that it was appropriate to stay the Hague application until the determination of the wife's substantive proceedings. This approach aimed to ensure that the broader family law matters were addressed comprehensively. The court also made directions regarding the filing of financial statements, the attendance at a conciliation conference, and the referral of applications for final and interim parenting and financial orders to appropriate lists for future directions and hearings.

The court ordered that times be abridged to allow the Hague application to be heard on the day of the judgment. Crucially, the Hague application was stayed until the determination of the wife's substantive proceedings. Further orders addressed the vacation of a hearing date, the filing of a Statement of Financial Circumstances, attendance at a conciliation conference, and the management of various interim and final applications, with specific dates set for future court attendances and affidavit filings.