Van Shoester and Anor and Varden

In the matter of *Van Shoester and Anor and Varden*, Kent J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application for leave to commence adoption proceedings. The First and Second Applicants sought this leave in relation to a child, R, born in August 2005. The respondent, Varden, was also involved in the proceedings.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether to grant leave to the First and Second Applicants to commence adoption proceedings, pursuant to section 60G of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). This section governs the circumstances under which proceedings can be commenced in relation to a child, particularly where an adoption order is being sought.

Kent J granted the application, exercising the discretion vested in the Court under section 60G of the *Family Law Act 1975*. The Court's reasoning, though not detailed in the provided text, led to the conclusion that it was appropriate to permit the commencement of adoption proceedings. Consequently, the Court ordered that leave be granted to the First and Second Applicants for this purpose. The Court further ordered that the Applicants have leave to publish the Orders and Reasons for Judgment to the relevant State adoption authorities to facilitate the adoption process.