Crowley & Pappas

In *Crowley & Pappas*, heard by Tree J, the primary dispute concerned the existence of a de facto relationship between the parties. The applicant sought a declaration that such a relationship had existed for a significant period.

The central legal issue before the court was whether the parties had been in a de facto relationship as defined by the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). This required the court to consider the specific criteria and evidence presented to establish the nature and duration of their cohabitation and interdependence.

Tree J applied the provisions of section 90RD of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) to determine the existence of the de facto relationship. The court found that the evidence supported the existence of a de facto relationship between the parties from March 1987 until 15 January 2011. Consequently, the court declared that a de facto relationship, as defined in section 4AA of the Act, existed between the parties during that period.