Watkins and Polglase

In *Watkins and Polglase*, Dawe J of the Supreme Court of Tasmania was required to determine whether to proceed with a trial in the absence of the mother of the children who were the subject of the proceedings. The father, Mr Watkins, sought to proceed with the trial, while the mother, Ms Polglase, was absent.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether it was in the best interests of the children to proceed with the trial in the mother's absence. This required the Court to consider the implications of the mother's non-attendance on the fairness of the proceedings and the ability of the Court to make a fully informed decision regarding the children's welfare.

Dawe J reasoned that the mother had been given ample notice of the trial date and had not provided any satisfactory explanation for her absence. The Court considered that the children's interests were paramount and that delaying the proceedings further would not be in their best interests. The judge concluded that it was appropriate to proceed with the trial in the mother's absence to ensure the matter was resolved without further prejudice to the children.

The Court ordered that the trial would proceed in the absence of the mother.