What must an aunt or adult sibling prove to get standing to apply for contact with a child?

An aunt or an adult sibling seeking contact with a child needs to show the court two connected things: first, that they have a genuine, meaningful relationship with the child - not just a family label, but real involvement, such as regular visits, caregiving, or another form of ongoing connection - and second, that continuing or restoring contact would actually serve the child's best interests, which is the only test a court applies once standing is addressed.

Blood relation on its own doesn't automatically establish standing or guarantee an order; an aunt who has barely known the child faces a much weaker application than one who has been a consistent presence in the child's life. Evidence that supports this kind of application typically includes documented visits, communications with the child or the parents, any history of providing care, and an explanation for why contact has been limited or cut off, if that's the situation. Because these applications turn heavily on the specific facts and history involved, an aunt or adult sibling considering this route should gather this kind of evidence early and get legal advice about whether their relationship with the child is strong enough to support an application.