Re DG and the Adoption Act 2000

The case of *Re DG and the Adoption Act 2000* concerned an appeal to the Court of Appeal of New South Wales regarding the adoption of an adult by a step-parent. The primary dispute revolved around the interpretation of the *Adoption Act 2000* (NSW) and whether it permitted such an adoption in the circumstances presented.

The central legal issue before the Court of Appeal was whether the *Adoption Act 2000* allowed for the adoption of an adult by a step-parent, and if so, under what conditions. This required the court to consider the statutory construction of the Act, specifically whether words could be implied into the legislation to permit or prohibit such adoptions, and whether the monetary threshold for appeals applied to non-monetary issues such as this.

The Court of Appeal reasoned that the *Adoption Act 2000* did not, by its plain language, permit the adoption of an adult by a step-parent. The court found no basis to imply words into the statute that would extend its operation to such a scenario, and determined that the appeal was not subject to the monetary threshold. Consequently, leave to appeal was granted, but the appeal itself was dismissed. The court made no order as to costs, but provided liberty to the Second Respondent to apply for a different costs order within 14 days.