Dat and Liang

In the matter of *Dat and Liang*, heard before Cronin J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the dispute concerned the existence and duration of a de facto relationship between Ms Dat and Mr Liang. The parties sought declarations regarding their relationship status, which would form the basis for subsequent final orders.

The primary legal issue before the court was to determine whether Ms Dat and Mr Liang were in a de facto relationship for the purposes of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) and, if so, for what period. This determination was crucial for the court to make final orders by consent.

Cronin J applied section 90RD of the *Family Law Act 1975*, which provides for declarations about de facto relationships. The court declared that the parties were in a de facto relationship from after 1 March 2009 until 2013. This declaration was made pursuant to the statutory provisions and in anticipation of final orders.

The court ordered that the reasons for its decision be transcribed and made available to the parties. Furthermore, final orders were to be made by consent in terms of minutes provided by the parties, subject to the formal entry of these orders into the Court's records.