› Appeal against order by Chief Magistrate refusing appellant’s application to become a party to proceedings in Local Court
› whether applicant has a “direct and significant interest in the wellbeing of the child” an issue of fact
› meaning of “party to any Court proceedings”
› determinations from which an appeal may lie
› expression “any order or decision of the Court” does not limit appeals to final and determinative decisions
› appeal allowed
Appeal
› LOCAL COURT
› FAMILY MATTERS JURISDICTION
› NATURAL JUSTICE
Care and Protection of Children Act (NT)
› Chief Magistrate refused appellant’s application to become a party to proceedings in Local Court
› Chief Magistrate’s finding that appellant did not have “direct and significant interest in the wellbeing of the child” based in part on material not disclosed to appellant
› procedural unfairness
› appellant not given fair opportunity to respond to material adverse to her application
