Masters and Parsons

In *Masters & Parsons*, heard in the Family Court of Australia, the primary dispute concerned applications by Mr Masters and Ms Parsons to review an exercise of power by a Registrar and applications by two solicitors seeking to intervene in the proceedings. The solicitors sought orders under section 79A of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) to set aside interim orders and an injunction restraining the wife from dealing with a property. Mr Masters appeared in person, citing serious illness, and sought an adjournment.

The court was required to determine several legal issues, including whether to grant an injunction restraining the wife from dealing with a property, the status of the intervening solicitors as creditors, and whether to grant leave for them to intervene and make applications under section 79A. Additionally, the court considered applications by the husband and wife to stay or set aside orders made by a Registrar on 29 June 2011, which required the wife to notify potential creditors of various interim orders made in the property settlement proceedings.

Justice Loughnan refused the injunction, finding that the applicants had not demonstrated that their claim, exceeding $200,000, would be jeopardised without it, and noting that the injunction was sought against a party not married to the applicant, requiring particular caution. The court also noted that the status of the applicants as creditors was questionable, with arguments raised about the validity of the debt assignment and potential counterclaims. Regarding the Registrar's orders, the court found no harm in notifying identified persons, including corporate bodies like the Law Society and the Australian Tax Office, and indicated that the wife should comply with the orders to the best of her ability, with the possibility of expunging parenting information from documents provided. The matter was adjourned for further consideration.