Loper v. SUPERIOR COURT, IN AND FOR COUNTY

OPINION

HOWARD, Judge.

This special action involves interpretation and application of provisions of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act, A.R.S. Sec. 8-401, et seq., which became effective in this state September 3, 1978. Since we believe that the respondent court failed to fulfill its obligation in a pending child custody proceeding, we assume jurisdiction and grant relief.

Briefly, the procedural chronology is as follows. On December 11, 1979, Mr. Loper filed a petition for legal separation in the respondent court, requesting custody of a minor child of the parties. On December 18, 1979,…