SPARKE & BERNARD

The Applicant and the Respondent were parties to proceedings in the Family Court of Australia concerning the division of property following the breakdown of their de facto relationship. The dispute centred on the existence and duration of the de facto relationship and the appropriate distribution of assets and liabilities.

The court was required to determine whether a de facto relationship existed between the parties and, if so, for what periods. It also needed to consider the appropriate orders for the division of property, including superannuation entitlements, other assets, and liabilities, pursuant to the provisions of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth).

The court found that a de facto relationship of two years and eleven months had existed between the parties, spanning several distinct periods. Applying the principles of property adjustment under the *Family Law Act 1975*, the court ordered the Respondent to pay a sum of $162,555.00 to the Applicant. The Applicant was to retain his superannuation entitlements exclusively, while both parties were to retain all other assets and be solely liable for their respective debts.