Barnes and Barnes and Anor (No 3)

In *Barnes and Barnes and Anor (No 3)*, Cronin J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application concerning costs. The dispute involved the wife and husband, with a third party also mentioned in the case title, regarding the husband's costs associated with a review.

The primary legal issue before the court was the determination of the wife's liability for the husband's costs of attending a review, with the court needing to decide whether this liability should be by agreement or, failing that, as assessed. Furthermore, the court was required to determine when the payment of these costs should be made.

Cronin J ordered that the wife pay the husband's costs of the attendance upon the review, either by agreement between the parties or, failing such agreement, as assessed by the court. Crucially, the court reserved the final decision on the payment of these costs until the trial.