Greig v Hutchison

This case involves appeals and a cross-appeal from a decision of the Family Court in relation to protracted relationship property proceedings. The principal issue on appeal is whether the trial judge was correct to find that the husband was not in a qualifying de facto relationship with his long-serving employee. The court considered the legal issues in relation to the de facto relationship issue, including the lack of financial dependence or interdependence between the parties, whether the parties presented themselves as a couple to the world, and whether the trial judge misdirected himself on the law. The court found that the trial judge did not err in finding that the relationship between the husband and his employee was not a de facto relationship. The court also addressed the valuation issue and the issue of compensation payable pursuant to section 44C of the Property (Relationships) Act 1976. The final orders of the court were that the appeals and cross-appeal were dismissed, and the stay of enforcement of certain orders was lifted.