Thorne v Kennedy

Family law – Financial agreements – Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), Pt VIIIA – Pre-nuptial agreement – Post-nuptial agreement – Where fiancé wealthy – Where fiancée had no substantial assets – Where fiancée moved to Australia for purposes of marriage – Where fiancée had no community or connections in Australia – Where fiancée relied on fiancé for all things – Where pre-nuptial agreement provided to fiancée shortly before wedding – Where fiancé told fiancée that if she did not sign agreement wedding would not go ahead – Where independent solicitor advised fiancée against signing – Where pre-nuptial agreement signed – Where substantially identical post-nuptial agreement signed – Whether agreements voidable for duress, undue influence, or unconscionable conduct – Whether primary judge's reasons adequate.

Words and phrases – "adequate reasons", "duress", "financial agreement", "illegitimate pressure", "independent legal advice", "maintenance order", "post-nuptial agreement", "pre-nuptial agreement", "property adjustment", "special disadvantage", "unconscionable conduct", "undue influence", "vitiating factor".

Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) – ss 90F, 90G, 90K, 90KA.