How are personal injury awards treated in property settlements?
Property settlements can be complex, especially when the separating couple has a large amount of assets. But what happens when one spouse has received a large personal injury payment? Is this considered a ‘contribution’ to the overall property pool or is it treated...
Attorney-General appoints new Chief Justice of Family Court – for just one year
Attorney-General George Brandis has named Chief Judge John Pascoe as the new Chief Justice of the Family Court. However the appointment comes just 14 months before he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70. Chief Judge Pascoe has already served for 13 years as...
High Court to determine strength of financial agreements
The strength of financial agreements is set to be tested in the High Court in the coming weeks. The case involves an Eastern European woman who met a property developer, with assets worth between $18 million and $24 million, online before he brought her to Australia...
Who gets to keep the ring when a couple separates?
It is a situation most couples don’t contemplate when they get engaged. But it is an issue lawyers are frequently asked about. In the past, women have generally been expected to hand their rings back, but it appears that the law is changing. A Sydney man has learnt...