Zao and Zao

In *Zao and Zao*, heard before Cronin J, the dispute concerned the recovery of a child. The mother sought an order for the child's return, which the father opposed.

The central legal issue before the court was whether to grant a recovery order for the child, authorising officers of the Commonwealth and state police forces to take necessary action, including the use of force, to remove the child from the father and return her to the mother.

Cronin J reasoned that a recovery order was appropriate in the circumstances. The court applied the principles governing recovery orders for children, which empower the court to make orders for the child's immediate return to a parent when it is in the child's best interests. The judge ordered that the recovery order be expedited.

The court made a recovery order in the usual terms, authorising officers of the Commonwealth and state police forces to take such action, including force, as may be necessary to remove the child from the father and return her to the mother. The order was to be expedited.