Sunden & Anor and Reeve

The applicants, Mr and Mrs Sunden, sought leave to commence adoption proceedings for two children, referred to as the children, against the respondent, Mr Reeve. The proceedings were heard in the Family Court of Australia before Cronin J.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether to grant the applicants leave to commence adoption proceedings pursuant to section 60G(1) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). This section requires leave of the court to commence proceedings concerning the adoption of a child if a parenting order is in force in relation to the child.

Cronin J considered the nature of the application and the existing parenting orders. The court determined that the application for adoption was not the appropriate avenue for the relief sought, particularly in light of the existing legal framework governing parenting arrangements. Consequently, the court granted leave for the adoption proceedings to commence but dismissed the broader application filed on 5 November 2014.