Billson and Billson

In the matter of *Billson and Billson*, the parties were before Cronin J of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. The dispute concerned orders relating to property settlement, spousal maintenance, and the discharge of previous court orders.

The court was required to determine the appropriate orders regarding the discharge of existing Federal Circuit Court orders, the provision of documents between the parties, the quantum and commencement of spousal maintenance payable by the husband to the wife, the application of funds drawn from a mortgage loan for property settlement and the discharge of the wife's credit card debts, and the conditions under which the husband could sell the assets of Business O Limited. The court also considered the dismissal of applications filed by the wife and the husband.

Cronin J discharged specific paragraphs of previous orders made by the Federal Circuit Court. The court ordered the exchange of documents between the parties, subject to privilege. Commencing on 28 October 2014, the husband was ordered to pay the wife $4000 per week by way of spousal maintenance. Further orders detailed the drawing down of $240,000 from a mortgage loan, with $70,000 to be paid to the husband as part-property settlement, and $170,000 to be applied by the wife towards her outstanding credit card debts, with $70,000 of this amount also deemed part-property settlement in favour of the wife. Upon payment of the $170,000 to the wife, the husband's spousal maintenance obligation was varied to $2600 per week. The husband was permitted to sell the assets of Business O Limited, subject to providing the wife with specified documentation and access to the company's banking accounts. The applications filed by the wife and the husband were dismissed, save for any application relating to costs.