On 10 January 2006, following their divorce, Mr Rand and Mrs Rand were given specific orders by the Family Court pertaining to the settlement of their property. On 25 June 2007 Mr Rand was found guilty of Contempt of Orders and was to “be imprisoned until discharged by order of the Family Court of Australia”.
Mr Rand appealed the conviction and the sentence was stayed providing that he entered into a bond and didn’t travel outside Sydney.
Three years later on 20 April 2010, Mr Rand’s appeal was presented to the Full Court of the Family Court. Finally, on the 3 September 2010, judgement was delivered in favour of Mr Rand ensuring that the convictions for Contempt of Orders were overturned.Interestingly, the reason that the conviction was overturned was that the Full Court found that the original order given on 6 January 2006 was not sufficiently clear and was therefore too ambiguous to find a breach by way of contempt of the order.
Whilst we agree that the current judgement rights a wrong, Mr Rand will not receive any compensation for the limitations placed upon his liberty for the past three years and to this extent, the delay has prejudiced his personal and financial interests.
This is a strong reminder the Family Court takes compliance of orders in relation to children and property extremely seriously.
