Cleary & Cleary (No. 2)

In *Cleary & Cleary (No. 2)*, the Family Court of Australia considered an application for costs following earlier proceedings between the husband and wife. The dispute concerned the division of matrimonial assets, and the court was asked to determine the appropriate allocation of costs incurred by the husband.

The primary legal issue before the court was the extent to which the wife should be ordered to contribute to the husband's costs, including expert and counsel fees, and solicitor-client costs for a specific period. The court was required to consider the principles governing costs orders in family law matters, particularly in light of the parties' conduct and the outcome of the substantive proceedings.

Cronin J ordered the wife to pay a specific sum towards the husband's superannuation expert's fees and counsel's fees. Furthermore, the wife was ordered to contribute to the husband's solicitor-client costs for the period between 26 July 2007 and 13 September 2007. In the event the parties could not agree on the quantum of these solicitor-client costs, the wife was to pay 50 per cent of the husband's costs for that period, to be determined in accordance with the Family Law Rules.