Hughes and Hughes

In the matter of *Hughes and Hughes*, heard before Young J, the dispute concerned applications made by the wife on 4 February 2008 and the husband's response filed on 27 February 2008. The court was required to determine the appropriate procedural steps and directions to be taken in relation to the parties' ongoing family law proceedings.

The court's reasoning focused on managing the progression of the case towards a resolution. It was evident that the initial applications were not yet in a form suitable for immediate determination. Consequently, the court directed a dismissal of the immediate applications, but crucially, it did not dismiss the underlying proceedings. Instead, it mandated further procedural steps to ensure that all relevant issues could be properly ventilated.

The court ordered that the parties attend a financial conciliation conference to attempt a bona fide resolution of outstanding matters. Furthermore, the husband was directed to file an amended application under s79A of the *Family Law Act 1975* with supporting affidavit and financial statement, detailing the basis for his orders sought. The wife was then required to file a response and her own affidavit and updated financial statement. The parties were also ordered to jointly obtain valuations of specified properties and livestock, and to engage in mutual discovery of documents. Costs were fixed at $3,000 for each party, with the question of payment adjourned. The court certified that the matter reasonably required the attendance of counsel for both parties.