Bloom and Sickle

In the matter of Bloom and Sickle, heard before Cronin J, the dispute concerned an appeal against orders made by the Magistrates Court of Victoria at Melbourne on 15 January 2009. The court also considered an application filed by the respondent in the Magistrates Court on 25 September 2008.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether to extend the time for the appellant to appeal the Magistrates Court's orders, and whether to set aside those orders. Additionally, the court had to determine an oral application by the wife for interim maintenance pursuant to s 66L of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).

Cronin J reasoned that an extension of time for the appeal was warranted and that the respondent's application should be treated as if filed in the Supreme Court. The court set aside the order made by the Magistrates Court on 15 January 2009. However, the wife's application for interim maintenance was dismissed. The court made various procedural orders regarding the setting down of the final hearing, the issuance of subpoenas, and a conciliation conference, reserving all questions as to costs.