Gull and Gull

In the matter of *Gull and Gull*, Bennett J of the Family Court of Australia considered competing proceedings for the final alteration of property between the husband and wife. The proceedings involved a dispute over various financial matters and the disclosure of relevant documents.

The court was required to determine the appropriate management of the litigation, including the scheduling of a final hearing and the process for filing documents. Key issues also included the disclosure of specific financial information by both parties, such as details of jewellery and valuables allegedly removed from a safe deposit locker, income particulars, bank account details, and consent for the release of Centrelink documents. The court also addressed the husband's banking history and the production of specific affidavits and documents for the court file.

Bennett J ordered that the wife's evidence from the day be transcribed and provided to both parties. The hearing was vacated and adjourned for a five-day final hearing to commence on 26 November 2007, to be managed by a Registrar. Specific orders were made for the husband to detail jewellery and valuables removed from a Mumbai safe deposit locker and to provide a detailed description of his banking activities between 2001 and 2004. The wife was ordered to provide copies of group certificates, particulars of her bank accounts with ANZ Bank and St George Bank Limited, and consent for the release of Centrelink documents. Importantly, the husband's solicitors were restrained from disclosing the names and addresses of the wife's employers to the husband, as derived from the group certificates. Costs were reserved to the trial judge.