GEORGE & GEORGE

In *George & George*, Benjamin J of the Family Court of Australia was required to determine the property settlement between the husband and wife. The dispute concerned the division of assets and liabilities between the parties.

The central legal issue before the court was how to equitably divide the parties' property in accordance with section 81 of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). This involved determining the respective interests of the husband and wife in various assets and liabilities disclosed in their financial statements.

Benjamin J ordered that the husband retain all legal and equitable interests in property in his name or control, as disclosed in his financial statement of 17 September 2013. Conversely, the wife was to have sole interest in property in her name or control, as disclosed in her financial statement of 18 October 2013. The court declared these orders to be final pursuant to section 81 of the *Family Law Act*. All outstanding applications were dismissed. Leave was granted to the wife to apply to restore the matter for determination on its merits within six weeks of the order date.