DICKENS & ZERB

In the matter of *Dickens & Zerb*, Hogan J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application by Ms Dickens and Mr Dickens for leave to commence adoption proceedings concerning a child, B, born in 1999. The specific nature of the dispute, beyond the application for leave to commence adoption proceedings, is not detailed in the provided text.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether to grant the applicants leave to commence proceedings for the adoption of the child B, pursuant to section 60G of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). This section typically requires a party to obtain leave from the court before commencing proceedings related to a child, particularly in circumstances where the child is not their own biological child.

Hogan J granted the application, ordering that leave be granted to Ms Dickens and Mr Dickens to commence proceedings for the adoption of the child B. The reasoning behind this grant of leave is not elaborated upon in the provided extract, but the order itself signifies that the applicants have satisfied the threshold requirements for seeking formal adoption orders.