Ducker v Smith [2011] NSWCA 212

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Ducker v Smith [2011] NSWCA 212 Hearing dates: 15 April 2011 Decision date: 27 July 2011 Before: Hodgson JA at [1] McColl JA at [5] Basten JA at [68] Decision: Appeal dismissed with costs [Note: The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 provide (Rule 36.11) that unless the Court otherwise orders, a judgment or order is taken to be entered when it is recorded in the Court's computerised court record system. Setting aside and variation of judgments or orders is dealt with by Rules 36.15, 36.16, 36.17 and 36.18. Parties should in particular note the time limit of fourteen days in Rule 36.16.] Catchwords: FAMILY LAW - de facto relationship - adjustment of property interests - s 20, Property (Relationships) Act 1984 (NSW)

FAMILY LAW - de facto relationship - evaluation of contributions of parties over 13 year period of cohabitation - relevance of initial contributions where real estate purchased partway through relationship - evaluation of non-financial contributions - discretion of trial judge to determine methodology when considering s 20 order - need to articulate findings and reasons for order - whether adjustment order just and equitable

FAMILY LAW - de facto relationship - departure of one co-owner from co-owned property - whether departed co-owner entitled to occupation fee Legislation Cited: Family Provision Act 1982 (NSW) Property (Relationships) Act 1984 (NSW) Cases Cited: Baker v Towle [2008] NSWCA 73 Bilous v Mudaliar [2006] NSWCA 38; (2006) 65 NSWLR 615 Callow v Rupchev [2009] NSWCA 148; (2009) 14 BPR 27,533 Chanter v Catts [2005] NSWCA 411; (2005) 64 NSWLR 360 French v Barcham [2008] EWHC 1505 (Ch); [2009] 1 WLR 1124; [2009] 1 All ER 145 Golosky v Golosky [1993] NSWCA 111 Goodman v Windeyer [1980] HCA 31; (1980) 144 CLR 490 House v R [1936] HCA 40; (1936) 55 CLR 499 Howlett v Neilson [2005] NSWCA 149; (2005) 33 Fam L R 402 Manns v Kennedy [2007] NSWCA 217 Saric v Steward [2006] NSWCA 260; (2007) DFC 95,401 Singer v Berghouse [1994] HCA 40; (1994) 181 CLR 201 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Alan Graham Ducker - Appellant Janet Adele Smith - Respondent Representation: Mr E Finnane - Appellant Ms D Reid - Respondent Irene E Pickel - Appellant Mitry Lawyers - Respondent File Number(s): 2010/269157 Publication restriction: No Decision under appeal Citation: Ducker v Smith [2010] NSWSC 462 Date of Decision: 2010-05-14 00:00:00 Before: Tamberlin AJ File Number(s): SC 2009/287699