Thomson & Barnes

Mr and Mrs Thomson applied for leave to commence adoption proceedings in relation to their 14 year old child, X, who is the biological child of Mrs Thomson and Mr Barnes. Mr Barnes opposes the application. In deciding whether to grant leave, the Court was required to consider whether it was in X’s best interests for the application to be granted. The Court was required to consider X’s wishes, which were that he wished to be adopted by Mr Thomson, his stepfather. The Court was also required to consider the impact of the adoption on X’s relationship with Mr Barnes. The Court considered that the adoption would be in X’s best interests. The Court noted that X has a close relationship with Mr Thomson and that X had spoken positively and respectfully about Mr Barnes and indicated a mature assurance that he could contact him in the future if he so desired. The Court noted that X had understood the consequences of the adoption proceedings and was aware of the potential impact on his relationship with Mr Barnes. The Court was satisfied that the adoption would be in X’s best interests and accordingly, granted leave.