Brand and Yoke (No. 2)

In *Brand and Yoke (No. 2)*, the District Court of the Australian Capital Territory was called upon to make orders regarding costs and disbursements following proceedings between the husband and wife. The dispute concerned the financial consequences of their separation, and the court was tasked with determining the appropriate allocation of legal costs and the fees of a single expert witness.

The primary legal issues before the court were the quantum of costs to be awarded to the wife and the husband's liability for those costs, as well as the husband's contribution towards the fees of the single expert appointed in the proceedings. The court was required to consider the reasonableness and necessity of the wife's legal expenses and the expert's fees in light of the overall conduct and outcome of the litigation.

His Honour Faulks DCJ ordered that the husband pay the wife's costs and disbursements in the sum of $150,734 within 30 days. Furthermore, the husband was directed to pay $5,445, representing one half of the single expert's fees, within 14 days. The court also directed that the matter be removed from the pending cases inventory, signifying the finalisation of these aspects of the proceedings.