Starkey and Starkey

The case of *Starkey and Starkey* involved an application by the Case Guardians for the husband, heard by Murphy J in the Family Court of Australia. The dispute concerned the management of a business and its associated bank accounts, with the application being made without prior notice to the wife.

The court was required to determine several issues, including the appointment of Case Guardians for the husband, the authorisation of specific individuals to operate the joint bank accounts of the parties, and the respective rights and obligations of the husband and wife concerning the business's operations and documentation. The court also needed to consider interim measures to regulate the conduct of both parties in relation to the business pending further determination.

Murphy J ordered that the managers of the husband's affairs be appointed as Case Guardians. The court further authorised these Case Guardians, acting for the husband, to operate the joint bank account with Westpac Banking Corporation using their sole signatures. The wife was ordered to provide all business-related documents to the husband's solicitors within 48 hours. The husband, through his Case Guardians, was directed to meet all business outgoings and comply with statutory requirements, while the wife was restrained from managing the business, holding herself out as having authority, communicating with financial institutions regarding the business, removing business documents, or attending at a specific location. The matter was adjourned for further hearing, with costs reserved and liberty to apply granted.