CORDING & OSTER

In the matter of Cording & Oster, Justice Cronin of the Family Court of Australia considered the validity of a financial agreement entered into between MS Cording and MR Oster on 7 October 2008. The dispute concerned the extent to which this agreement governed the division of the parties' property.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether the financial agreement dated 7 October 2008 constituted a valid and binding financial agreement for the purposes of Part VIIIAB of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). A further issue was to determine if any property of the parties remained outside the scope of this agreement.

Justice Cronin found that the agreement was indeed a valid and binding financial agreement under the *Family Law Act 1975*. Consequently, the Court determined that there was no property of the parties that was not covered by the financial agreement. The Court then discharged all existing injunctive orders and dismissed all outstanding applications by the parties, save for any issues relating to costs. The determination of costs was to be made upon written submissions, with a timetable set for their filing and service. The Court also certified for the attendance of counsel, including senior counsel.