Hexter & Anor and Gabel

In *Hexter & Anor and Gabel*, the applicants sought leave from the court to commence adoption proceedings concerning a child, X. The respondent, Gabel, was the child's father.

The central legal issue before Hogan J was whether to grant the applicants leave to commence adoption proceedings pursuant to section 60G(1) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). This section requires that a person seeking to commence proceedings for the adoption of a child must obtain the leave of the court, unless certain exceptions apply, which were not relevant in this instance.

Hogan J considered the relevant factors under section 60G(1) in determining whether to grant leave. While the specific reasoning is not detailed in the provided text, the court's ultimate decision to grant leave indicates that it was satisfied that it was in the best interests of the child, X, to permit the adoption proceedings to commence. The court applied the principles of the *Family Law Act 1975* concerning the welfare and best interests of children in adoption matters.

The court ordered that the applicants have leave to commence proceedings for the adoption of the child, X.