Morris and Cain

In the matter of *Morris and Cain*, heard before Guest J, the proceedings concerned an application for adoption and related parenting orders. The dispute involved Mr Morris seeking to commence adoption proceedings for a child named N, born in May 1995.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether to grant Mr Morris leave to commence adoption proceedings. Ancillary to this, the Court was required to determine the future of existing parenting orders and other extant applications before it. The Court also considered the role of the Independent Children’s Lawyer.

Guest J granted Mr Morris leave to commence adoption proceedings. In doing so, the Court discharged all previous parenting orders and discharged the Independent Children’s Lawyer. All other extant applications were dismissed, and the proceedings were removed from the Active Pending Cases List. The Court also ordered that its ex tempore judgment and the parties' submissions be transcribed and placed on the Court file. Finally, the Court determined that the matter reasonably required the attendance of Counsel pursuant to rule 19.50 of the *Family Law Rules 2004*.