McGowan and Hahn

In *McGowan and Hahn*, Foster J of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia considered a dispute between a father and mother concerning the surname of their child. The father sought orders regarding the child's surname, while the mother had been using a different surname for the child.

The central legal issue before the court was whether to grant the father's application concerning the child's surname, and consequently, what surname the child should be permitted to use. The court was required to determine the appropriate course of action in light of the existing circumstances and the parties' competing interests.

Foster J dismissed the father's application. The court ordered that the mother shall at all times use the surname "X McGowan" in relation to the child and is restrained from using any other surname for the child, including "Hahn-McGowan". Existing orders made on 23 July 2019 were to continue pending further order.