Riley and Riley (No 2)

In *Riley and Riley (No 2)*, Thornton J of the Family Court of Australia considered applications for interim spousal maintenance and other interlocutory relief in proceedings between a husband and wife. The wife sought interim periodic spousal maintenance and orders for the husband to meet certain expenses, including mortgage payments, private health insurance, mobile phone charges, and vehicle costs. The husband sought the return of a vehicle and offered to provide a different vehicle to the wife.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether to grant interim periodic spousal maintenance to the wife, and if so, on what terms. The court also had to determine applications concerning the provision of private health insurance, mobile phone charges, and the use of vehicles. Additionally, the court considered an application by the wife for the husband to fund school fees and an application by the husband for the return of a specific vehicle.

Thornton J reasoned that the wife had established a need for interim spousal maintenance, given the circumstances. The court ordered the husband to pay a weekly sum by way of interim periodic spousal maintenance and to continue to meet specific expenses for the wife, including mortgage payments on a property, private health insurance, mobile phone charges, and costs associated with a particular vehicle. The court dismissed the wife's application regarding school fees, finding it was not appropriate to make such an order at this interim stage. The husband's application for the return of a vehicle was also dismissed. The court reserved costs and noted an undertaking given by the wife regarding changes in her financial circumstances.