KORUBA & FURST

In the Family Court of Australia, Johnston J considered an application by the father to change the child's middle name. The dispute arose in the context of final hearing consent orders that permitted the mother to relocate overseas with the child. The sole remaining issue was the father's application to add an additional middle name to the child's existing middle name.

The court was required to determine whether it was in the best interests of the child to change his name to include an additional middle name, having regard to the relevant statutory considerations under sections 60CC(2)(a), 60CC(3)(g), and 60CC(3)(m) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). Additionally, the court considered an application by the Independent Children's Lawyer (ICL) for costs.

Johnston J reasoned that it was in the child's best interests to permit the name change, applying the statutory considerations. The court also found that both parents had the financial capacity to contribute to the ICL's costs and that, as neither party had been wholly successful, it was just to make a costs order. Consequently, the court ordered that the parties sign all necessary documents to change the child's name to "B E Koruba Furst" and that each parent pay one half of the costs of the ICL.