HUA & LIU

In the matter of *HUA & LIU*, heard before Johns J, the husband sought a partial property settlement concerning the parties' joint interests. This application was made in circumstances where there was significant disagreement regarding the value and extent of these interests, and crucially, no valuations had yet been obtained. The wife maintained control over the parties' property interests.

The court was required to determine whether to grant the husband's application for a partial property distribution in the absence of valuations and in light of the dispute over the property's worth. Additionally, the court considered issues relating to parental responsibility for the parties' child, particularly in light of the wife's role as primary carer since birth and the husband's lack of contact since separation.

Johns J dismissed the husband's application for partial property distribution, reasoning that it was premature and inappropriate to make such orders without proper valuations of the disputed assets. Instead, interim orders were made directing the valuation of the parties' property. In relation to the children, the court found that the presumption of equal parental responsibility was rebutted due to the circumstances, and interim orders were made granting the wife sole parental responsibility for the child.