A valve assembly comprising a female member and a male member: the female coupling member comprising: a socket, for receiving a probe of the male coupling member; at least one second fluid passageway, wherein the or each fluid passageway has at least one exit aperture arranged on an internal side face of the socket; at least one first closing member that is freely moveable between an open position in which the or each exit aperture is at least partially unobstructed, and a closed position in which the or each exit aperture is fully obstructed; a first securing means (36a, 36b) for releasably securing the first closing member to a probe; and a second securing means (34a, 34b) for releasably securing the socket to a second closing member arranged on the probe; the male member includes the probe with at least one first fluid passageway, wherein the or each fluid passageway has at least one exit aperture on a side face of the probe and the second closing member that is arranged about the probe is movable between an open position in which the or each exit aperture of the probe is at least partially unobstructed and a closed position in which the or each exit aperture of the probe is fully obstructed; characterised in that the male and female coupling members are sealed such that fluid is retained in the valve assembly during coupling or decoupling thereby generating separation forces between the respective first closing member and probe as well as between the respective socket and second closing member and wherein the first and second securing means carry said separation forces generated during coupling and decoupling. the female coupling member comprising: a socket, for receiving a probe of the male coupling member; at least one second fluid passageway, wherein the or each fluid passageway has at least one exit aperture arranged on an internal side face of the socket; at least one first closing member that is freely moveable between an open position in which the or each exit aperture is at least partially unobstructed, and a closed position in which the or each exit aperture is fully obstructed; a first securing means (36a, 36b) for releasably securing the first closing member to a probe; and a second securing means (34a, 34b) for releasably securing the socket to a second closing member arranged on the probe; the male member includes the probe with at least one first fluid passageway, wherein the or each fluid passageway has at least one exit aperture on a side face of the probe and the second closing member that is arranged about the probe is movable between an open position in which the or each exit aperture of the probe is at least partially unobstructed and a closed position in which the or each exit aperture of the probe is fully obstructed; characterised in that the male and female coupling members are sealed such that fluid is retained in the valve assembly during coupling or decoupling thereby generating separation forces between the respective first closing member and probe as well as between the respective socket and second closing member and wherein the first and second securing means carry said separation forces generated during coupling and decoupling.