Tyms v Williamson [2010] NSWCA 138

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION: Tyms v Williamson [2010] NSWCA 138 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

HEARING DATE(S): 10 June 2010

JUDGMENT DATE: 9 July 2010

JUDGMENT OF: Beazley JA at 1; Handley AJA at 2; Davies J at 3

DECISION: (1) The appeal is allowed. (2) Judgment for the Plaintiff for $110,000 on 4 August 2009 set aside. (3) In lieu thereof, substitute, judgment for the Plaintiff for $91,000 with effect from 4 August 2009. (4) No order as to the costs in this Court. (5) Any variation of the cost orders below to be sought by Notice of Motion filed within 14 days of the publication of these reasons.

CATCHWORDS: FAMILY LAW AND CHILD WELFARE - de facto relations - adjustment of property interests - evaluation of contributions - balancing of financial and non-financial contributions by the parties - treatment of superannuation by the Trial Judge - sufficiency of reasons.

LEGISLATION CITED: Property (Relationships) Act 1984

Baker v Towle [2008] NSWCA 73 Chanter v Catts [2005] NSWCA 411; (2005) 64 NSWLR 360 Howlett v Neilson [2005] NSWCA 149 CASES CITED: Kardos v Sarbutt [2006] NSWCA 11; (2006) 34 Fam LR 550 Soulemezis v Dudley (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1987) 10 NSWLR 247 Trosse v Howard [2009] NSWCA 346 Williamson v Tyms [2009] NSWDC 348

PARTIES: Steffan Adrian Tyms (Appellant) Aina Signe Maria Williamson (Respondent)

FILE NUMBER(S): CA 2009/298488

COUNSEL: Ms S Christie (Appellant) G M Gould (Respondent)

SOLICITORS: O'Hearn & Bilinsky Lawyers (Appellant) Cunningham & Adam Solicitors (Respondent)