Belo v Commissioner of Child Welfare, Johannesburg; Belo v Chapelle [2002] 3 All SA 286 (W)

Findings: Applicant wanted to appeal (for an extension of time for the late noting of the appeal) against an adoption order granted in favour of his ex-wife and her new husband without his consent. Court held that, with its discretion, the delay in noting the appeal in the present case was so inordinately long (7 years) that it would not be in the best interest of the child to now interfere with the adoption order.