Sresbodan and Sresbodan and Ors

In the matter of *Sresbodan and Sresbodan and Ors*, Watts J considered a dispute involving the parties to family law proceedings and their solicitors, particularly concerning the distribution of funds held in a controlled monies account and the payment of a significant Goods and Services Tax (GST) debt owed to the Australian Tax Office. The proceedings also involved the joinder of a law firm as parties.

The court was required to determine the appropriate distribution of $300,000 from the controlled monies account, the allocation of $670,000 to satisfy the GST debt, and whether the solicitors trading as Law Firm D should be joined as parties to the proceedings. The court also considered the terms upon which the joined parties might seek further orders.

Watts J ordered that the solicitors for the wife pay $300,000 to the wife from the controlled monies account within seven days. Concurrently, the solicitors were directed to pay $670,000 to the Trustee in Bankruptcy for Mr Sresbodan, with the express purpose of the Trustee using these funds to discharge the GST debt to the Australian Tax Office. Furthermore, Mr D and Mr H, trading as Law Firm D, were joined as parties to the proceedings, and liberty was granted to them to relist the matter on 28 days' notice should they wish to make any further applications.