Ungerman and Anor and Nelly

In the matter of *Ungerman and Anor and Nelly*, Kent J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application for leave to commence adoption proceedings. The applicants sought to adopt a child named N, born in 2004.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether to grant leave to the applicants to commence adoption proceedings, pursuant to section 60G of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). This section requires a court to grant leave for adoption proceedings to be commenced if it is satisfied that it is in the best interests of the child.

Kent J granted leave to the First and Second Applicants to commence adoption proceedings. The Court was satisfied that granting leave was in the best interests of the child, N. Consequently, the Court also granted the applicants leave to publish the Orders and Reasons for Judgment to the relevant adoption authorities to facilitate the adoption process.