What is required for a court to grant a freezing order according to the case Vaughan v Bonjiorno?

In the case of Vaughan v Bonjiorno, the court established that to obtain a freezing order, the applicant must demonstrate a prima facie case. A prima facie case refers to the evidence that, unless disproved, is sufficient to establish a particular fact or the validity of the claim being made. It serves as a foundational requirement that assures the court there is a legitimate basis for considering that the applicant is likely to succeed on the merits of the case.

This requirement for a prima facie case is critical because freezing orders are extraordinary remedies that can interfere with individuals’ rights to use their property. The court must be satisfied that there is a credible claim, thus preventing potentially unwarranted restrictions on a respondent's assets.

While a signed affidavit may be used in support of the application for a freezing order, it is not the sole requirement for granting such an order—the underlying substantive case must also be established. Similarly, a comprehensive case study is not a standard requirement in this context, and approval from the Attorney General is not needed for private parties in seeking freezing orders in civil cases.