Black and Duncan

In the matter of Black and Duncan, Murphy J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application by the applicants for leave to commence adoption proceedings concerning four children: R, born January 1994; J, born April 1995; T, born May 1997; and D, born July 1998. The precise nature of the dispute leading to this application for leave is not detailed, but the core of the matter concerned the statutory requirements for initiating adoption proceedings.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether to grant the applicants leave to commence adoption proceedings, as required by section 60G of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). This section typically requires leave of the court before adoption proceedings can be commenced, particularly in circumstances that may involve interstate or international elements, or where specific conditions are not met.

Murphy J granted the applicants leave to commence adoption proceedings. The Court's decision was based on the specific provisions of section 60G of the *Family Law Act 1975*, indicating that the applicants had satisfied the necessary threshold for the court to permit the commencement of such proceedings. The order reflects the Court's determination that the statutory requirements for granting leave had been met.