Somerville and Somerville

In the matter of *Somerville and Somerville*, heard by Mushin J in the Family Court of Australia, the proceedings concerned an application by Mr Somerville for leave to commence adoption proceedings in relation to a child, E. The respondent, Mrs Somerville, was the mother of the child.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether to grant Mr Somerville leave to commence adoption proceedings, as required by section 60G of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). This section typically requires leave for a person to commence proceedings for an adoption order if they are not a parent of the child.

Mushin J granted leave to Mr Somerville to commence adoption proceedings. While the specific reasoning for granting leave is not detailed in the provided extract, the Court's decision indicates that the requirements of section 60G of the *Family Law Act 1975* were satisfied to the extent that leave was granted. The Court otherwise dismissed all other applications before it, reserving liberty to both parties to apply further. The matter was certified as reasonably requiring the attendance of counsel.