Cavanagh and Cavanagh

In *Cavanagh and Cavanagh*, the parties were a husband and wife, and the dispute concerned the division of their matrimonial assets. The matter came before Moore J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

The primary legal issue before the court was the appropriate method for valuing and dividing the parties' superannuation interests, particularly in light of the complexities arising from one party's significant superannuation entitlements. The court was also required to consider the overall just and equitable distribution of the matrimonial pool of assets.

Moore J applied established principles of property settlement under the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). The court's reasoning focused on the need for a practical and equitable valuation of the superannuation interests, acknowledging the difficulties in assigning a precise current value to future entitlements. The judge considered various valuation methodologies and ultimately determined a method that reflected the present value of the future benefits, ensuring a fair division of this significant asset within the broader property settlement.

The court ordered that draft orders be submitted by the parties within seven days to give effect to the proposed orders as set out in the Reasons for Judgment.