In re Duinkerke (Infant) [2012] SBHC 8; HCSI-CC 260 of 2011 (1 February 2012)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOLOMON ISLANDS
(Mwanesalua J)

Civil Case No. 260 of 2011

IN THE MATTER OF THERESA PORCHE JAEL DUINKERKE (Infant)

AND

IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION ACT 2004 (No. 4 of 2004)

Date of Hearing: 1 February 2012
Date of Ruling: 1 February 2012

Mr. John Keniapisia for the Applicants

RULING

This is an application by the Applicants, Jair Willam Leendert Duinkerke and Mrs Lauretta Grace Aroha Duinkerke. They were married on 9 July 2005 at Hamilton in New Zealand. They are missionaries working with Short Workshop in Missions (SWIM), in Solomon Islands.

Mr. Jair Willem Leendert Duinkerke holds Netherlands citizenship which Mrs Lauretta Grace Aroha Duinkerke is a citizen of New Zealand. They are currently residing in Honiara working for SWIM at Lunga, Guadalcanal Province. Both are domiciled in New Zealand.

The infant was born on 12 November 2010 at the Central Hospital in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Elsie Abia is the biological mother of the infant while the biological father is David Mae. The infant was born outside marriage. The Applicants have taken care and possessing the infant since two days after birth.

The applicants have been through medical checks. They confirmed to be physically and mentally fit to adopt the infant. On the other hand, the infant has likewise gone through medical checks and is reported to well and healthy.

The family members of the children support this adoption. The applicants have provided love and emotional support to the infant. The court holds the opinion the grants of an adoption will serve the interests of the infant. The adoption order sought by the Applicants is granted. Order accordingly.

THE COURT