Rahman and Rahman

In the matter of *Rahman and Rahman*, heard by Watts J, the dispute concerned applications made by both the husband and wife in relation to their ongoing proceedings. The wife sought an order for the husband to pay a bond to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, while the husband sought the return of his passport to enable him to travel internationally. The court also considered applications to vacate previously scheduled hearing dates and to relist the matter for a final hearing.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether the wife's application for a bond should be granted, whether the husband should be permitted to travel overseas, and the appropriate orders regarding the scheduling of the final hearing and costs. The court was required to determine the merits of each party's interlocutory applications in the context of the overall proceedings.

Watts J ordered that the hearing dates scheduled for 6 to 8 June be vacated and the matter be relisted for a final hearing for three days commencing 11 October 2011. The wife's application for the husband to pay a $10,000 bond to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship was dismissed. Similarly, the husband's oral application for the return of his passport and permission to travel outside Australia was also dismissed. The court further ordered that the wife pay the husband's costs of the application and any costs reasonably incurred and lost due to the vacating of the June hearing dates, on a party/party basis, with payment stayed pending the final determination of the matter. Case outlines were to be filed and served within 14 days.