Howlett v. Neilson [2005] NSWCA 149

Reported Decision : (2005) DFC 95-321

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Howlett v. Neilson [2005] NSWCA 149

HEARING DATE(S): 16 March 2005

JUDGMENT DATE: 9 May 2005

JUDGMENT OF: Hodgson JA at 1; Ipp JA at 49; McColl JA at 50

DECISION: 1. Appeal allowed. 2. Orders below set aside. 3. In lieu thereof, order that the appellant pay the respondent $97,000.00 with interest accruing from 11 April 2003, and appellant to pay the respondent's costs of the proceedings. 4. Respondent to pay the appellant's costs of the appeal, not extending to the costs of Senior Counsel, and to have a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act if otherwise eligible.

CATCHWORDS: FAMILY LAW - De facto relationships - Statutory power to make orders adjusting property interests of parties - Matters to be considered - Initial contributions of parties - Contributions during relationship - Relevance of both benefit and cost of contributions - Need for findings as to contributions - Sufficiency of reasons

Dwyer v. Kaljo (1992) 27 NSWLR 728 Evans v. Marmont (1997) 42 NSWLR 70 Jones v. Grech [2001] NSWCA 208, 27 FamLR 711 Lyman v. Lyman (1989) 13 FamLR 18 Mallett v. Mallett (1984) 156 CLR 605 CASES CITED: Marriage of Clauson (1995) 18 FamLR 693 Marriage of Ferraro (1992) 16 FamLR 1 Pierce v. Pierce [1999] FLC 92-844 Powell v. Supresencia (2003) 30 FamLR 473 Wallace v. Stanford (1985) 37 NSWLR 1

Gary William Howlett - appellant PARTIES: Gail Maxine Neilson - respondent

FILE NUMBER(S): CA 40942/03

Mr. P. Brereton SC with Mr. J.W. Hammond for appellant COUNSEL: Mr. R.E. Quickenden for respondent