Beckstead & Beckstead

In the matter of *Beckstead & Beckstead*, heard by Harland J, the applicant husband and the respondent wife were engaged in proceedings concerning their financial matters. The specific dispute leading to this order involved an application filed by the husband on 12 August 2020, which the court ultimately dismissed.

The court was required to determine several matters, including the disposition of the husband's application, the process for addressing costs, the future trial directions, and the husband's ability to file a further application for joinder. Crucially, the court also needed to consider the binding nature and potential setting aside of a financial agreement entered into by the parties on 24 June 2006, as this would precede any further joinder application by the husband.

Harland J ordered the dismissal of the husband's application filed on 12 August 2020. The court also directed the respondent wife and Ms B to file and serve submissions regarding their costs applications within 21 days, with the husband to respond within a further 21 days. The parties were further ordered to confer and submit a minute of order setting out their desired trial directions within 14 days. Finally, the husband was granted leave to file a further application for joinder, contingent upon the determination of the validity and enforceability of the 2006 financial agreement, and required to annex a draft statement of claim to such an application.