Lenton and Keble & Anor (No 2)

The Family Court of Australia heard a matter concerning final parenting orders for a child named Z. The applicant, Mr Lenton, and the first respondent, Ms Keble, sought consent orders regarding Z's parenting arrangements. The second respondent, Mr Davie, who is Z's biological father, consented to most of the proposed orders but opposed two specific issues: a change to Z's family name and the terms by which the applicant and first respondent would be referred to by Z. Mr Davie had sporadic contact with Z and had not participated meaningfully in the proceedings.

The court was required to determine whether to make final parenting orders by consent, specifically addressing the second respondent's objections. The primary legal issues were whether to order a change to Z's registered birth name to "Z Lenton-Keble" and whether to order that Z be encouraged to refer to Mr Lenton as "Dad" or "Daddy" and Ms Keble as "Mum" or "Mummy". These determinations were to be made in accordance with Z's best interests.

Justice Johns found that it was in Z's best interests to amend his registered birth name to "Z Lenton-Keble", reflecting the reality of his upbringing and reinforcing his connection to both Mr Lenton and Ms Keble, who had been his primary carers. The court noted that Mr Davie's biological link would remain recorded on the birth certificate. Regarding the appellations, the court accepted the unchallenged evidence that Z already referred to Mr Lenton as "Dad" and Ms Keble as "Mum", and that this was supported by a family report. Therefore, the court ordered that the parents continue to encourage Z to use these terms, maintaining consistency and acknowledging the significant roles of Mr Lenton and Ms Keble in his life.

The court made final orders by consent for the parenting arrangements, including equal shared parental responsibility, a week-about living arrangement, and detailed provisions for holidays and special occasions. Crucially, the court ordered that Z's birth certificate be amended to register his name as "Z Lenton-Keble", with costs to be borne equally by the parents. The court also ordered that the parents refer to Mr Lenton as "Dad" or "Daddy" and Ms Keble as "Mum" or "Mummy" and encourage Z to do so.