Walford and Walford

The matter of *Walford and Walford* came before Cronin J concerning applications relating to child support and the wife's ability to reopen her case to call further evidence. The wife sought leave to issue various subpoenas for the production of documents and for witnesses to give evidence, including a subpoena directed to an individual in New Zealand. The wife also sought to inspect specific financial documents held by the husband.

The court was required to determine whether to grant the wife leave to issue subpoenas for the production of documents and for evidence from individuals both within and outside of Australia, including from New Zealand under the *Evidence and Procedure (New Zealand) Act 1994*. Additionally, the court needed to consider the wife's request for leave to inspect a range of financial records pertaining to the husband and associated companies and trusts. The court also had to address the scheduling of outstanding child support applications.

Cronin J granted the wife leave to issue subpoenas for the production of documents to several entities and individuals, including D Pty Ltd, Mr G, M Walford, V Pty Ltd, JP Pty Ltd, AP and Co, Mr VW, Deutsche Bank, and HSBC. Leave was also granted to issue a subpoena to Mr WY in New Zealand for the production of documents. The court further granted the wife leave to issue subpoenas for witnesses Ms Z and Mr RL to give evidence, without determining the issue of whether the wife could reopen her case. The court also ordered that the wife attend for the inspection of specified bank statements, BAS statements, and invoices. The child support applications were adjourned to commence as the fourth case in a list commencing on 6 August 2009, but not before 17 August 2009. The husband's costs of the day were fixed and reserved.