Houlis and Notaros and Ors

The proceeding before Le Poer Trench J concerned an application by Ms Houlis seeking to set aside an earlier consent order made in family law proceedings. The first and second respondents, Mr and Ms Notaros, had filed their own application seeking orders pursuant to section 79A of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth), which allows for the setting aside of property settlement orders in certain circumstances.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether Ms Houlis's application to set aside the consent order should be dismissed. The court was also required to determine the future conduct of the proceedings, specifically how the application brought by Mr and Ms Notaros under section 79A should be managed.

Le Poer Trench J dismissed Ms Houlis's application. The court noted that the application by Mr and Ms Notaros under section 79A was the appropriate mechanism for seeking to set aside the consent orders. The court directed the docket registrar to list this application for further directions to ensure its progression. Furthermore, the court reserved the question of costs for all parties, indicating that these would be determined upon application at the time of the final hearing of the section 79A proceeding, unless any party filed an application to the contrary within 14 days.