Queen and Queen and Ors

In the matter of *Queen and Queen and Ors*, Cronin J of the Family Court of Australia was required to determine preliminary issues concerning the Court's jurisdiction to hear an application made by the wife. The respondents, referred to as the second and third respondents, also participated in these proceedings.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether it possessed the necessary jurisdiction to entertain the wife's application. This jurisdictional question was to be determined before any substantive interim applications could be addressed.

Cronin J ordered that the jurisdictional issue be listed for determination on a specified date. Should the Court find that it has jurisdiction, it would then proceed to hear all interim applications, unless otherwise directed. The parties were given specific deadlines to file further documents and written submissions on the law relating to the jurisdiction issue. The costs of the parties were reserved, and it was certified that engaging counsel was reasonable.