W and W (No. 2)

This appeal concerned a dispute between a husband and wife regarding the division of their net assets. The Federal Magistrate had made findings of fact, supplemented by additional agreed facts, which led to a determination that the parties' contributions were equal. The Magistrate had also applied a Section 75(2) adjustment. The wife was ultimately awarded 55 per cent of the net assets, and the husband 45 per cent.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the Federal Magistrate had erred in the exercise of their discretion in determining the parties' respective entitlements to their net assets, particularly in relation to the application of the Section 75(2) adjustment. The appeal sought a re-exercise of this discretion by the appellate court.

Coleman J, on appeal, upheld the Federal Magistrate's findings regarding the equality of contributions. The court considered the application of Section 75(2) of the *Family Law Act 1975* (Cth) and found no error in the Magistrate's determination of the adjustment. Consequently, the court affirmed the division of assets as determined by the Federal Magistrate, with the wife receiving 55 per cent and the husband 45 per cent of the net assets. The court ordered that counsel prepare minutes of order reflecting this decision for submission to a Registrar.