Church & Anor and Baxter

In the matter of *Church & Anor and Baxter*, heard before Forrest J, the applicants, Mr Church and Ms Baxter, sought leave to make an application for the adoption of a child, B, born in 2006. The application was for the child to be adopted by her stepfather, Mr Church.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether to grant leave pursuant to section 60G of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) for the applicants to proceed with their adoption application under the *Adoption Act 2009* (Qld). Additionally, the Court was required to consider dispensing with service of the application and supporting materials upon the respondent, pursuant to rule 7.18 of the *Family Law Rules 2004* (Cth).

Forrest J granted leave for the adoption application to proceed, acknowledging the specific circumstances of the case which necessitated the dispensation of service. The Court's decision reflects an exercise of discretion under the relevant legislative provisions to facilitate the adoption process in the best interests of the child.

The Court ordered that service of the application and supporting affidavit material upon the respondent be dispensed with, and that leave be granted to the applicants to make an application for the adoption of the child B by her stepfather, Mr Church.