R v The Queen

This matter concerned an appeal to the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia, with Justice Coleman presiding. The appeal was brought by the appellant against the respondent, challenging a decision made by a Federal Magistrate concerning the adequacy of reasons provided for setting aside a previous order under section 79A of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).

The central legal issue before the Full Court was whether the Federal Magistrate's reasons for finding that the respondent had consented to the setting aside of a previous consent order were sufficiently adequate and supported by the evidence. Specifically, the court had to determine if the conclusion reached by the Federal Magistrate was one that was open to them on the material before them.

Justice Coleman found that the Federal Magistrate's reasons were inadequate and that the conclusion that the respondent had consented to the setting aside of the previous order was not open to them. The appeal was therefore allowed.