Laughlin and Jenkins (No 2)

In *Laughlin and Jenkins (No 2)*, Bennett J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application by Mr Laughlin and Ms Laughlin, referred to as the applicants, concerning their children, C Morgan and D Morgan. The dispute involved the parental responsibility for the children, their residence, and significant changes to their names and potential adoption.

The court was required to determine several key legal issues. These included whether the applicants should have equal shared parental responsibility for the children, where the children should live, and whether it was in the best interests of the children to change their surname to Laughlin. Furthermore, the court had to consider whether to grant leave for proceedings to be commenced for the adoption of the children by Mr Laughlin, and to permit relevant departments or authorities to access court records for the purpose of the adoption process.

Bennett J reasoned that granting equal shared parental responsibility and ordering that the children live with the applicants was in the children's best interests. The court also found that changing the children's surname to Laughlin and granting leave for adoption proceedings by Mr Laughlin were consistent with the children's welfare. The court made orders reflecting these findings, including approving the change of name, granting leave for adoption, and authorising access to court records for adoption authorities. The court also directed that the biological father be notified of the proceedings' conclusion and ordered that all other extant applications be dismissed.