Mr Farrar appealed the decision of the primary judge to divide all of the available property between his two previous de facto partners, effectively leaving him with nothing. The Full Court of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, constituted by Tree, Baumann and Williams JJ, dismissed Mr Farrar’s appeal and upheld the orders of the primary judge.

The appellant wife successfully appealed the order made by the primary judge that she own and occupy property in Australia as a condition precedent to international travel with the child who was the subject of the proceeding. Christie J, sitting as the appeal court, held that the primary judge did not have the power to make the order in circumstances where was no logical connection between the order and the care, welfare or development of the child.

The applicant de facto wife successfully appealed the decision of the primary judge to uphold the decision of the senior registrar to refuse her application for maintenance. The appeal court, constituted by Aldrige J, held that the primary judge had erred in finding that the de facto wife could adequately support herself in circumstances where she had reduced her expenses to make ends meet in the absence of provision of financial support by the de facto husband.