CJL v JMG

In the Supreme Court of Queensland, CJL, the applicant, sought her costs from JMG, the respondent, following a property dispute. The court was required to determine whether the circumstances justified an order for the respondent to bear the applicant's costs. The court examined the financial resources and conduct of both parties, noting a significant disparity in their financial situations. The respondent's conduct during the proceedings was found to be less than exemplary, with a deliberate attempt to frustrate the applicant's legitimate interests and prolong the litigation. The applicant had also made an early offer to settle, which was not accepted, and she ultimately achieved more than her initial settlement offer. Given these factors, the court concluded that the circumstances justified an order for the respondent to bear the applicant's costs. The court ordered the respondent to pay the applicant $1,137,741 by a specified date, with provisions for the sale of certain properties if the payment was not made, and directed the respondent to cover the applicant's costs of the proceedings.