Maroti v Ristic

[2015] VSC 3

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA Not Restricted

AT MELBOURNE

COMMERCIAL COURT

S CI 2014 1676

VALERIA MAROTI	Plaintiff
v
STEVE RISTIC	Defendant

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JUDGE:	Lansdowne AsJ
WHERE HELD:	Melbourne
DATE OF HEARING:	8 and 16 December 2014
DATE OF JUDGMENT:	16 January 2015
CASE MAY BE CITED AS:	Maroti v Ristic
MEDIUM NEUTRAL CITATION:	[2015] VSC 3

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DOMESTIC RELATIONSHIP – Application to extend time to bring claim for adjustment of property interests – Whether jurisdiction of the Supreme Court excluded by Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) – Domestic relationship ended before commencement of the Relationships Act 2008 (Vic) – Consideration as to whether applicant has a claim under that Act – Nature and duration of the relationship and contribution to it determined in a prior proceeding – Issue estoppel – Poor prospects of success if time extended – Application for extension of time refused – Application for declaration as to an existing interest – Same claim in the prior proceeding – Res judicata – Proceeding dismissed – Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), ss 4(1), 4AA, 39A, 90RC, 90SB, 90SM, 90SK – Property Law Act 1958 (Vic), s 281 – Relationships Act 2008 (Vic), ss 35(2), 39, 41, 43, 74.

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APPEARANCES:	Counsel	Solicitors
For the Plaintiff	In person
For the Defendant	In person

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 2

This proceeding............................................................................................................................. 2

Related proceedings..................................................................................................................... 4

Does this Court have jurisdiction?............................................................................................. 6

Which law must this Court apply?........................................................................................... 10

Did Ms Maroti have a claim for adjustment of property interests under the Property Law Act?.................................................................................................................................. 11

Relevant legal principles................................................................................................................ 15

Leave out of time to commence a proceeding for adjustment of property interests....... 15

Adjustment of property interests under the Relationships Act 2008 (Vic)............................ 19

Issue estoppel and res judicata................................................................................................... 21

Evidence and findings.................................................................................................................... 25

Issues necessarily determined in the funds in Court case.................................................... 25

Evidence and findings made in the funds in Court case...................................................... 27

Nature and duration of the relationship........................................................................ 27

Contribution....................................................................................................................... 35

Other issues in this proceeding................................................................................................ 37

Conclusion as to prospects of success..................................................................................... 40

Consideration of extension of time............................................................................................... 40

Hardship to the plaintiff if leave is refused............................................................................ 40

Hardship to the defendant if leave is granted........................................................................ 41

Conclusion as to relative hardship........................................................................................... 44

Discretion..................................................................................................................................... 45

Conclusion and orders.................................................................................................................... 46

Extension of time......................................................................................................................... 46

Application for declaration....................................................................................................... 46

SCHEDULE......................................................................................................................................... 1

HER HONOUR:

Introduction

This proceeding

1. By originating motion filed 10 April 2014 the plaintiff, Ms Valeria Maroti, seeks a declaration pursuant to s 40 of the Relationships Act 2008 (Vic) (‘the Relationships Act’ or ‘the Act’) that she has an interest in funds held in Court in the name of the defendant, Mr Steve Ristic; what is described as a ‘consequential’ adjustment in respect of those funds in her favour pursuant to s 41 of the Act; and leave to bring the proceeding out of time pursuant to s 43(2) of the Act.

1. Leave is necessary because s 43(1) of the Act provides that an application for adjustment of property interests pursuant to…