Dewart and Zarrah

In the matter of *Dewart and Zarrah*, heard before Mushin J, the applicant sought leave to commence adoption proceedings for a child, B, born in July 1995. The respondent was the other party to the proceedings.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether to grant the applicant leave to commence adoption proceedings, as required by section 60G of the *Family Law Act 1975*. This involved determining if the circumstances warranted dispensing with the usual requirements of service of documents on the respondent.

Mushin J granted leave to the applicant to commence adoption proceedings, dispensing with all requirements of service on the respondent. The court also certified that the matter reasonably required the attendance of counsel, pursuant to Rule 19.50 of the *Family Law Rules 2004*. All other applications were dismissed and removed from the list of cases awaiting hearing.