Commonwealth of Australia (As Represented BY the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development) v Watkins & Anor (No.3)

The Commonwealth of Australia, represented by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, was the applicant in proceedings before Smith J of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia concerning a tenancy dispute. The respondents were Watkins and another party.

The primary legal issue before the Court was the determination of costs following the resolution of the tenancy dispute. Specifically, the Court was required to decide whether the successful party should be awarded costs and, if so, how those costs should be calculated, with reference to Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the *Federal Circuit Court Rules 2001* (Cth).

Smith J determined that the successful party should be awarded costs. The Court proceeded to calculate these costs in accordance with the relevant provisions of the *Federal Circuit Court Rules 2001*. The Court also ordered that the costs order be stayed pending an appeal to the Federal Court of Australia.