WASLEY & WASLEY

In the matter of *Wasley & Wasley*, Dawe J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application by the wife seeking leave to adduce further expert evidence in proceedings between the parties. The dispute concerned family law matters, and a key aspect of the wife's application related to the admissibility of expert reports.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether the wife should be granted leave to file and serve an expert report from a chartered accountant, Mr V, which was intended to analyse and comment on a previously prepared report and provide a valuation of a specific business interest. Additionally, the court was required to determine whether the wife should be granted leave to issue subpoenas to the National Australia Bank Limited and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, and whether the first day of trial should be vacated.

Dawe J granted the wife leave to file and serve the expert report from Mr V, noting that it would analyse a prior report and provide a valuation of the Wasley Family Trust's interest in S Business. The court also granted the wife leave to issue subpoenas to the National Australia Bank Limited and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, provided they related to the Family Court of Australia's Records Section. The first day of trial, originally scheduled for 21 September 2009, was vacated and the matter was adjourned to 7 December 2009. The court also made various orders regarding the filing and service of amended applications, responses, financial questionnaires, and minutes of proposed orders, with specific deadlines set for each.