Demetriou and Demetriou & Ors

In *Demetriou and Demetriou & Ors*, the wife sought interim orders for property settlement, specifically for legal fees and other expenses, and interim spousal maintenance. The husband had proposed a "dollar for dollar" arrangement for the wife's legal fees, having already expended joint matrimonial funds on his own legal costs. The court was therefore required to determine the appropriate interim financial arrangements between the parties, including the quantum of spousal maintenance and the method of payment for legal expenses.

Rees J ordered the husband to pay the wife $2,250 per week by way of spousal maintenance and to meet all outgoings on the matrimonial home. Crucially, the court ordered the husband to pay the wife $179,000 within 30 days as an interim property settlement. This payment was to be made from the proceeds of sale of specific assets if not paid by the due date, with interest to accrue. Furthermore, the court stipulated that any legal fees paid by the husband or on his behalf in the proceedings were to be matched by a payment to the wife's solicitors within 48 hours of the husband's payment, with the husband's solicitors required to notify the wife's solicitors of such payments. The husband's application for occupation of the matrimonial home was dismissed.