ZAHUR & BOYLE

In the matter of *Zahur & Boyle*, the father applied for an adjournment of proceedings and a stay of final parenting orders. The proceedings concerned parenting arrangements for the parties' children, including a temporary relocation outside Australia. The mother and the Independent Children's Lawyer sought consequential orders regarding passports for the children and a variation of the final orders concerning the timing of the children's return to Australia.

The court was required to determine whether to grant the father's application for an adjournment, considering the provisions of section 57 of the *Legal Aid Commission Act 1979* and any special circumstances. It also had to consider the father's application for a stay of final parenting orders, particularly in light of his failure to comply with a prior order to file a Notice of Appeal and an application for expedition. Furthermore, the court needed to decide on the mother's and the Independent Children's Lawyer's applications for orders relating to the children's passports and for a variation of the final orders regarding the children's return to Australia.

Justice Watts dismissed the father's application for an adjournment, finding that special circumstances prevented its grant. The application for a stay of final parenting orders was also dismissed, with the court noting the father's non-compliance with a previous order. The court found that the orders sought by the mother and the Independent Children's Lawyer regarding the children's passports were in the children's best interests. Additionally, the court varied the final orders to defer the timing of the children's first block period back in Australia with the father, finding that the mother's delayed departure from Australia due to her citizenship notification constituted a significant change in circumstances and that the variation was otherwise in the children's best interests.

The court ordered that the father sign all necessary documents for the children to obtain Country I passports within 24 hours of receipt, with the Registrar appointed to execute such documents on his behalf in the event of his refusal or neglect. The court also varied the final orders by changing the year for the children's return to Australia from 2018 to 2019.