Katic and Katic and Anor

In *Katic and Katic and Anor*, the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia considered an appeal by the wife against orders made by Cronin J. The dispute concerned property settlement following the breakdown of the marriage.

The primary legal issue before the Full Court was whether Cronin J erred in his assessment of the parties' contributions and in the resulting property settlement orders. Specifically, the wife argued that the primary judge failed to adequately consider her non-financial contributions to the marriage and the acquisition of assets, and that the final property division was therefore unjust and inequitable.

The Full Court analysed the evidence presented at trial and the reasons for judgment of Cronin J. It was held that the primary judge had indeed taken into account all relevant contributions, both financial and non-financial, as required by section 75(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). The Full Court found no error in the weight given to each contribution and concluded that the property settlement orders were within the range of what was open to the primary judge. Consequently, the wife's appeal was dismissed.