Jones and Blake

In the matter of Jones and Jones, heard before Cronin J, the applicants, Ms Jones and Mr Jones, sought leave to commence adoption proceedings in Queensland concerning a child, T, born in August 1998. The application was made under section 60G of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) and the *Adoption Act 2009* (Qld). A key aspect of the dispute involved proceeding with the adoption application in the absence of service upon the biological father of the child.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether to grant the applicants leave to commence adoption proceedings, and whether such proceedings could validly proceed without effecting service on the biological father. The court was required to consider the relevant provisions of both the *Family Law Act 1975* and the *Adoption Act 2009* in determining these questions.

Cronin J granted the applicants leave to commence adoption proceedings in Queensland. The court further ordered that the application could proceed forthwith, notwithstanding the lack of service upon the biological father. All other outstanding proceedings were dismissed and removed from the list of cases awaiting a hearing.