Laudani and Laudani and Anor

In the matter of *Laudani and Laudani and Anor*, Bennett J of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia made orders by consent between the applicant wife and the respondent husband. The dispute concerned financial matters arising from the breakdown of the parties' marriage, including property division, spousal maintenance, and litigation funding.

The court was required to determine the arrangements for the parties' private mediation, the distribution of proceeds from the sale of a property, the valuation of the husband's business interests, and the valuation of specific real estate. The parties also sought orders regarding discovery, injunctions to prevent encumbration of property, and the payment of various debts and expenses.

By consent, the court ordered that the parties engage in private mediation, with specific timelines and mediator selection. An injunction was imposed restraining the husband and wife from encumbering a property at C Street, Suburb D, Victoria, without the other's written consent or court order. The wife's applications for spousal maintenance and litigation funding were withdrawn with a right of reinstatement. The court also made detailed orders for the application of proceeds from the sale of a property at E Street, Suburb F, including the payment of sale costs, business debts, and the division of the remaining balance. Further orders directed the valuation of the husband's interests in several business entities and the obtaining of sworn valuations for two properties, with the costs of these valuations to be shared.

The court further ordered that its reasons for decision be transcribed and placed on the court file. A mention date was set approximately 14 days after the mediation for directions regarding trial or further interim applications, including those related to valuations and litigation funding. Liberty was reserved to the husband and/or third parties to apply concerning the payment of trade creditors or other creditors from funds held in a controlled money account.