sec.18Meaning of couple relationship

### sec.18 Meaning of couple relationship A couple relationship exists between 2 persons if the persons have or had a relationship as a couple. In deciding whether a couple relationship exists, a court may have regard to the following— the circumstances of the relationship between the persons, including, for example— the degree of trust between the persons; and the level of each person’s dependence on, and commitment to, the other person; the length of time for which the relationship has existed or did exist; the frequency of contact between the persons; the degree of intimacy between the persons. Without limiting subsection (2) , the court may consider the following factors in deciding whether a couple relationship exists— whether the trust, dependence or commitment is or was of the same level; whether 1 of the persons is or was financially dependent on the other; whether the persons jointly own or owned any property; whether the persons have or had joint bank accounts; whether the relationship involves or involved a relationship of a sexual nature; whether the relationship is or was exclusive. A couple relationship may exist even if the court makes a negative finding in relation to any or all of the factors mentioned in subsection (3) . A couple relationship may exist between 2 persons whether the persons are of the same or a different gender. A couple relationship does not exist merely because 2 persons date or dated each other on a number of occasions. (sec.18-ssec.1) A couple relationship exists between 2 persons if the persons have or had a relationship as a couple. (sec.18-ssec.2) In deciding whether a couple relationship exists, a court may have regard to the following— the circumstances of the relationship between the persons, including, for example— the degree of trust between the persons; and the level of each person’s dependence on, and commitment to, the other person; the length of time for which the relationship has existed or did exist; the frequency of contact between the persons; the degree of intimacy between the persons. (sec.18-ssec.3) Without limiting subsection (2) , the court may consider the following factors in deciding whether a couple relationship exists— whether the trust, dependence or commitment is or was of the same level; whether 1 of the persons is or was financially dependent on the other; whether the persons jointly own or owned any property; whether the persons have or had joint bank accounts; whether the relationship involves or involved a relationship of a sexual nature; whether the relationship is or was exclusive. (sec.18-ssec.4) A couple relationship may exist even if the court makes a negative finding in relation to any or all of the factors mentioned in subsection (3) . (sec.18-ssec.5) A couple relationship may exist between 2 persons whether the persons are of the same or a different gender. (sec.18-ssec.6) A couple relationship does not exist merely because 2 persons date or dated each other on a number of occasions. - (a) the circumstances of the relationship between the persons, including, for example— (i) the degree of trust between the persons; and (ii) the level of each person’s dependence on, and commitment to, the other person; - (i) the degree of trust between the persons; and - (ii) the level of each person’s dependence on, and commitment to, the other person; - (b) the length of time for which the relationship has existed or did exist; - (c) the frequency of contact between the persons; - (d) the degree of intimacy between the persons. - (i) the degree of trust between the persons; and - (ii) the level of each person’s dependence on, and commitment to, the other person; - (a) whether the trust, dependence or commitment is or was of the same level; - (b) whether 1 of the persons is or was financially dependent on the other; - (c) whether the persons jointly own or owned any property; - (d) whether the persons have or had joint bank accounts; - (e) whether the relationship involves or involved a relationship of a sexual nature; - (f) whether the relationship is or was exclusive.