Wilkes and Long

In the matter of Wilkes and Long, heard before Young J in the Family Court of Australia, the dispute concerned the validity of a marriage. The parties, Mr Wilkes and Ms Long, had undergone a marriage ceremony in Victoria in February 2011.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether the marriage solemnised between Mr Wilkes and Ms Long was a valid marriage under Australian law. This required the Court to consider the provisions of the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) and the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).

His Honour declared that the marriage of Mr Wilkes and Ms Long, performed in Victoria in February 2011, was a valid marriage and had been duly solemnised in accordance with the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth). The Court ordered that its extempore reasons for judgment be transcribed, placed on the court file, and made available to the parties and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.