Jess and Jess (No. 2)

In *Jess and Jess (No. 2)*, Brown J of the Family Court of Australia made orders concerning property settlement and procedural directions in a family law matter. The dispute involved the husband being ordered to discharge certain financial obligations of companies T Pty. Ltd. and L Pty. Ltd. by a specified date, or a later date if an extension was granted by Y Corporation Pty. Ltd. The husband was also ordered to pay outstanding liabilities on several credit cards held by the wife by a further specified date, with the definition of "liability" excluding amounts charged after a certain date.

The court was required to determine the terms of the property settlement relating to corporate debts and credit card liabilities, as well as to set procedural directions for further applications and the joinder of additional respondents. Specifically, the court addressed the wife's application to join Y Pty. Ltd., Y Corporation Pty. Ltd., and Mr Jess (jnr) as respondents, and the timelines for filing responses and affidavits from all parties, including the proposed respondents. The court also considered the wife's request to rely on an adversarial expert's affidavit.

Brown J's reasoning involved making specific orders for the partial property settlement, including the timing and nature of the husband's financial obligations. The court also established a detailed timetable for the filing of documents and submissions in relation to the wife's amended application and the joinder of new parties, ensuring that all parties had an opportunity to respond and present their case. The court granted leave for the wife to rely on the expert affidavit and dismissed earlier applications by both parties. The court noted that the matter reasonably required the attendance of counsel, including senior counsel.