RUFINO & HABER

In *Rufino & Haber*, heard before L. Turner J, the dispute concerned the division of property following a de facto relationship of approximately four years. The parties had each contributed and expended significant sums of money during the relationship, and the overall property pool was described as small.

The central legal issue before the court was how to equitably distribute the limited assets of the parties, taking into account their respective contributions and expenditures during the short de facto relationship.

His Honour determined that, given the brevity of the relationship and the substantial contributions made by both parties, an equal division of the asset pool was the most appropriate and just outcome. The court applied principles of property adjustment in de facto relationship matters, focusing on fairness and the contributions of each party to the relationship and its property.

The court ordered that each party receive 50% of the asset pool.