Ettridge & Somers

In the matter of *Ettridge & Somers*, heard by Thornton J of the Family Court of Australia, the applicant and respondent were in dispute regarding the existence and duration of a de facto relationship. The applicant sought declarations concerning the nature of their relationship, which the respondent contested.

The primary legal issue before the court was to determine whether a de facto relationship existed between the parties and, if so, for what period. This determination was crucial for the subsequent division of property and other financial matters under the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).

Thornton J applied the provisions of section 90RD of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) to assess the criteria for establishing a de facto relationship. The court found that a de facto relationship subsisted between the applicant and respondent from January 2007 until 2 January 2015, with a brief exclusion of one month between January and February 2008.

Consequently, the court declared the existence and duration of the de facto relationship as specified. Paragraph 1 of the respondent’s Further Amended Response to Initiating Application was dismissed, and all other outstanding applications were adjourned for further directions to prepare the matter for trial.