In the Matter of Lizza Rabaua (A Minor) [2012] SBHC 77; HCSI-CC 48 of 2012 (27 July 2012)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOLOMON ISLANDS
(Mwanesalua J)

Civil Case No. 48 of 2012

IN THE MATTER OF ADOPTION ACT 2004
IN THE MATTER OF LIZZA RABAUA (A MINOR)

BETWEEN:

MISS LIZZA RABAUA
Minor

AND:

TINA DICKINSON
Applicant/Wife

AND:

DAMSON MARK DICKINSON
Applicant/Husband

Date of Hearing: 12 July 2012
Date of Ruling: 27 July 2012

G. Fai'aitoa for the Applicants

RULING

MWANESALUA J:

[1] This is an application from Tina Dickinson and Damon Mark Dickinson for an adoption Order to adopt Miss Lizza Tesibe Rabaua. Tina Dickinson and Damson Mark Dickinson are wife and husband.

[2] Mrs Dickinson is a Solomon Islander. She is from Wagina Village in Choiseul Province. Mrs Dickinson is the aunt of the child, Lizza Rabaua, and the sister of the child's biological mother, Anna Palmer.

[3] Mr Dickinson comes from Australia. His address there is 26 Banks Avenue, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia. He is currently living and working in Solomon Islands as a radiographer for ASPEN Medical, earning a salary of about $82,901.68 per annum.

[4] Mrs Dickinson and Mr Dickinson are aged 27 years and 31 years respectively. They both attended formal education up to University level.

[5] Their accommodation is one of the apartments at King Solomon's Hotel. It is fully furnished with two bedrooms, a kitchen, laundry and a living room. The environment of the apartment is clean, quiet and is accessible to hospital, market and shops.

[6] Lizza Rabaua was born on 18 June 2000. She is currently in grade five at Chung Wah School in Honiara. She had her own bedroom and a study venue at her the applicants' apartment. The applicants have a private car which is used to pick the child, Lizza Rabaua, from School.

[7] The biological father of Lizza Rabaua does not oppose this application. The view of this Court is that it would be in the best interest of Lizza Rabaua that she is adopted by the Applicants.

[8] Mr Damon Mark Dickinson and Mrs Tina Dickinson have been seen by a doctor. The doctor has confirmed that they are medically fit and well, there are no significant medical conditions that would reduce their capacity to care for Lizza Rabaua on adoption.

[9] Accordingly, Order granted to Tina Dickinson and Damon Mark Dickinson to adopt Lizza Rabaua.

THE COURT