ALLBROOKS & DECARLI

In *Allbrooks & Decarli*, the Family Court of Australia was asked to determine a dispute concerning the property interests of two individuals who had been in a de facto relationship. The primary disagreements between the parties related to the duration of their relationship and whether it would be just and equitable to alter their respective property interests.

The court was required to make two key determinations. Firstly, it needed to ascertain the precise period for which the de facto relationship had subsisted. Secondly, and crucially, the court had to consider whether, having regard to all the circumstances, it was just and equitable to make an order altering the property interests of the parties.

Her Honour L. Turner J found that a de facto relationship had existed between the parties for a period of six years and seven months. Applying the principles governing property adjustment in de facto relationships, the court concluded that it was not just and equitable to alter the property interests of the parties. Consequently, the application brought by one of the parties was dismissed.