Arthurman and Arthurman (No. 2)

In *Arthurman and Arthurman (No. 2)*, Justice Fowler of the Family Court of Australia considered an application concerning costs following a hearing. The dispute revolved around the allocation of legal expenses incurred by the husband during proceedings before Justice Fowler.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the wife should be ordered to contribute to the husband's costs, and if so, to what extent. The court was also required to determine the timing of any such payment and to consider whether the matter warranted the attendance of counsel.

Justice Fowler reasoned that the wife should bear a portion of the husband's costs, specifically one half of the agreed or assessed costs of the hearing. This decision was made pursuant to rule 19.50 of the *Family Law Rules 2004*, which allows for costs orders where the attendance of counsel was reasonably required. The court further ordered that the wife's obligation to pay these costs would be postponed until she received the benefit of a prior order made on 18 March 2008.