Zen and Jir and Ors

In the matter of *Zen and Jir and Ors*, Cronin J of the Supreme Court of Victoria considered an application by the wife for urgent injunctive relief and leave to proceed without notice to the husband. The dispute concerned the husband's alleged dealings with funds held in specific Citibank accounts, which the wife sought to restrain pending the determination of her applications.

The primary legal issues before the Court were whether to grant the wife leave to proceed with her application without serving the husband, and whether to grant an interlocutory injunction restraining the husband from dealing with the funds in the specified Citibank accounts. The Court also had to consider the appropriate method of service on the husband and other respondents.

Cronin J reasoned that the wife had established a sufficient basis to proceed without notice, subject to her undertaking to pay any damages ultimately ordered. The Court applied principles relating to the grant of interlocutory injunctions, requiring the wife to demonstrate a serious question to be tried and that the balance of convenience favoured the granting of the injunction. The Court also considered the practicalities of service in the circumstances.

The Court ordered that the wife have leave to proceed without notice to the husband, adjourned the application for further mention, and granted an injunction restraining the husband from dealing with the funds in the specified Citibank accounts until further order. The Court further ordered that the husband and other respondents be served by email and electronic means respectively.