GRIFFITH & CHIU

In the Family Court of Australia, Mr Griffith (the husband) and Ms Chiu (the wife) were parties to proceedings concerning property settlement and spousal maintenance. The wife sought orders for the alteration of property interests and ongoing periodic spousal maintenance, while the husband sought declarations regarding property ownership and the discharge of an interim spousal maintenance order. A key dispute was whether a de facto relationship existed between the parties prior to their marriage.

The court was required to determine several legal issues. These included whether a de facto relationship existed between the parties before their marriage, and if not, what orders should be made for the alteration of property interests under section 79 of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). The court also had to consider whether any adjustment was warranted under section 75(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) for the wife, and whether ongoing spousal maintenance should be ordered.

Justice Stevenson found that no de facto relationship existed prior to the marriage. The court determined that the husband had made greater initial contributions and greater contributions throughout the marriage. An adjustment was made in favour of the wife under section 75(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).

The court ordered that the husband pay the wife a lump sum of $150,000 within 28 days. Additionally, the wife was ordered to transfer her rights and interests in the property located at B Street, Suburb C, New South Wales, to the husband simultaneously with the lump sum payment. The wife was also ordered to make a motor vehicle available for the husband's collection within 28 days.