The applicant mother brought a motion to enforce a family law settlement agreement that the self-represented respondent father accepted via email.
The father opposed the motion, arguing he signed under duress and that the agreement was one-sided.
The court found that the father's email stating 'Accept in full' constituted valid acceptance under Rule 18 of the Family Law Rules, and that consideration was exchanged when funds were released from the matrimonial home sale.
The court rejected the father's claim of duress, finding no evidence of coercion or illegitimate pressure, and concluded that both parties would be prejudiced if the agreement were not enforced.
The motion was granted and the settlement agreement was enforced.
