Peake and Cousins (No. 2)

In *Peake and Cousins (No. 2)*, Cronin J considered contravention applications brought by both Ms Peake (the applicant) and Mr Cousins (the respondent). Ms Peake alleged breaches of court orders by Mr Cousins, some relating to incidents from several years prior, and also raised issues of abuse of process. Mr Cousins also brought contravention allegations against Ms Peake.

The court was required to determine whether the contravention allegations brought by Ms Peake against Mr Cousins were proved, and if so, what orders should be made. It also had to consider Mr Cousins' contravention application against Ms Peake. Furthermore, the court dealt with an application for a stay of certain orders pending an appeal.

Cronin J found that two of Ms Peake's contravention allegations against Mr Cousins were proved, but dismissed them as being of minimal significance and not warranting the exercise of the court's powers under section 70NED of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth). The court also noted that Ms Peake had denied Mr Cousins electronic communication without reasonable excuse, leaving the children responsible for this communication. The contravention application brought by Mr Cousins against Ms Peake was dismissed. The court also addressed an application for a stay of orders made by Justice Bennett, which was granted until the determination of Ms Peake's appeal. Ultimately, most extant applications were transferred to the Federal Circuit Court.