Vassalo and Graham

In *Vassalo and Graham*, heard before Strickland J, the dispute concerned the valuation of businesses in the context of family law proceedings. The parties sought directions from the court regarding the further conduct of the proceedings, particularly concerning expert evidence and discovery.

The court was required to determine the procedural steps necessary to advance the resolution of the financial matters in dispute. This included the need for an updated valuation of the parties' respective businesses and the timing for any applications for discovery. The court also considered the evidence to be led from a particular witness.

Strickland J ordered that the parties jointly instruct a single expert witness to update his previous valuation report, providing him with updated financial figures for their businesses up to 30 June 2009. The cost of this updated report was to be shared equally, with the report to be filed and served by 30 November 2009. The court also set a deadline for any applications for discovery and scheduled these for hearing on 7 December 2009. Furthermore, the husband was ordered to provide a statement of proposed evidence from Ms J within 28 days. The proceedings were then adjourned part heard to 7 December 2009.