Denton and Denton and Ors

In the matter of *Denton and Denton and Ors*, Mushin J considered applications and counter-applications between the wife and the husband, as well as several other respondents. The core of the dispute involved financial matters, particularly concerning a company, D Pty Ltd (formerly S Pty Ltd), and the wife's claims under section 79A of the *Family Law Act 1975*. The proceedings also involved applications for contravention and applications to discharge previous orders.

The court was required to determine a number of issues, including whether to discharge existing consent orders, dismiss various applications made by the wife, and make orders regarding the disclosure of financial information by the husband concerning D Pty Ltd. Furthermore, the court had to consider the dismissal of proceedings against the second to sixth respondents and the allocation of costs between the wife and these respondents.

Mushin J reasoned that the wife's applications for contravention and her application in a case filed on 30 October 2007 should be dismissed, with liberty to reinstate the discovery application upon compliance with her obligations. The court also discharged certain previous consent orders and dismissed proceedings against the second to fifth respondents. The husband was granted leave to withdraw his application filed on 30 November 2007. Crucially, the court ordered that the husband provide written notice to the wife regarding any dividend declarations or loans from D Pty Ltd.

The court made extensive orders, including the dismissal of the wife's applications and contravention proceedings against the second to fifth respondents, and the discharge of certain consent orders. The wife was ordered to particularise her claim under section 79A of the *Family Law Act 1975* by filing an amended Application for Final Orders. The second to sixth respondents were discharged as parties. The court also made orders regarding the assessment and payment of costs by the wife to the second to fifth respondents and to the husband and the sixth respondent, with a stay of three months on payment. General liberty to apply was reserved.