Zau & Ruk

In the matter of *Zau & Ruk*, heard before Macmillan J, the dispute concerned an application for a decree of nullity of marriage. The marriage had been solemnised in 2013 between Mr Zau and Ms Ruk.

The central legal issue before the court was whether the marriage was valid at its inception, thereby requiring a declaration of nullity.

Macmillan J determined that the marriage was void *ab initio*. The court applied the principle that a marriage solemnised in a foreign jurisdiction will be recognised in Australia if it is valid according to the laws of that jurisdiction. However, in this instance, the evidence presented did not establish the validity of the marriage under the laws of Country C, leading to the conclusion that it was void.

Consequently, the court ordered that the marriage between Mr Zau and Ms Ruk be declared absolutely null and void. The initiating application for a decree of nullity filed on 7 April 2014 was otherwise dismissed, and the matter was removed from the list of cases awaiting hearing.