LORRY & MUSK

In the matter of Lorry & Musk, heard before Judge Coker, the Applicant and Respondent disputed the existence of a de facto relationship. The Applicant sought declarations and orders regarding property settlement, which were contingent on the court finding that a de facto relationship had subsisted between the parties.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the parties had been in a de facto relationship for the purposes of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). This required the court to determine the commencement and cessation dates of any such relationship, as defined by the Act.

Judge Coker found that a de facto relationship existed between the Applicant and the Respondent from 14 February 2003 until 13 August 2013, pursuant to sections 90RD and 4AA of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). The court reserved the costs of both parties and listed the application for mention on 26 October 2015 for further directions, including the filing of material and the scheduling of a Conciliation Conference.