Rance and Rance

In the matter of *Rance and Rance*, Foster J of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia was required to determine whether the marriage between the applicant, Mr Rance, and the respondent, Ms Rance, was a nullity. The dispute concerned the validity of the marriage solemnised in Suburb B, New South Wales.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether the marriage had been validly constituted according to Australian law. This required an examination of the circumstances surrounding the ceremony and the legal requirements for a valid marriage.

Foster J declared the marriage a nullity. The reasoning for this declaration is not detailed in the provided extract, but the outcome signifies that the Court found the marriage to be void ab initio. The formal orders reflect this finding, stating that the marriage is a nullity, subject to the entry of the order in the Court's records.