REED & REED

In *Reed & Reed*, the applicant sought to join a law firm, BK, and a solicitor, Mr K, as third parties to proceedings concerning the setting aside of a binding financial agreement under section 90K of the *Family Law Act 1975*. The applicant also sought to advance claims against BK and Mr K for misleading and deceptive conduct under the *Fair Trading Act (Vic) 1999* and the *Trade Practices Act (Cth) 1974*.

The central legal issue before Judge Riethmuller was whether leave should be granted to join BK and Mr K as third parties to the existing family law proceedings, and whether the court possessed the jurisdiction to entertain the claims of misleading and deceptive conduct within the context of the family law matter.

The court determined that it had accrued jurisdiction to hear the claims of misleading and deceptive conduct, as these claims arose from a common factual substratum with the primary family law dispute concerning the validity of the financial agreement. The court reasoned that it was just and convenient to join the third parties to avoid multiplicity of proceedings and to ensure a complete determination of the issues. Consequently, leave was granted to join BK as the first third party and Mr K as the second third party.

The court ordered that leave be granted to join the third parties, that the parties file amended pleadings in accordance with the Federal Court Rules, and that the matter be adjourned for directions. Costs were reserved, and the parties were directed to submit draft directions within 28 days.