Director-General, Department of Community Services v The Adoptive Parents [2005] NSWCA 385

Director-General, Department of Community Services v The Adoptive Parents [2005] NSWCA 385

The addition of a first name to the child's given names constitutes a change under s 101(5) of the Adoption Act 2000. Special reasons related to the best interests of the child were present, including the child's established use of the additional name and familial consistency with other adopted siblings. The adoption order should stand.

Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
14 November 2005
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Leave to Appeal and Appeal Decision
Outcome
Leave to appeal granted; appeal dismissed with costs.
Legal Topics
['adoption' "change of Child's Name" 'given Names' 'special Reasons Related to Interests of Child']

Case Brief

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Procedural Posture

Appeal / Leave to Appeal and Appeal Decision

  1. 1 ["Meaning of 'given name' under s 101(5) Adoption Act 2000" 'Whether addition of a name constitutes a change in given names' 'At what time given names are to be ascertained' 'Whether special reasons related to interests of child warrant name change']

Ratio Decidendi

The addition of a first name to the child's given names constitutes a change under s 101(5) of the Adoption Act 2000. Special reasons related to the best interests of the child were present, including the child's established use of the additional name and familial consistency with other adopted siblings. The adoption order should stand.

Court Disposition

Leave to appeal granted; appeal dismissed with costs.

Orders

  • ['Adoption order made by Young CJ in Eq stands.' 'Director-General to pay costs of the adoptive parents.']