Davey and Yardley (No 2)

In *Davey and Yardley (No 2)*, Dawe J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application by the wife for costs following earlier proceedings between the parties. The dispute concerned the division of property and the wife's entitlement to spousal maintenance.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the wife should be awarded her costs of the proceedings, and if so, on what basis and in what amount. This involved an assessment of the conduct of the parties during the litigation and whether any party had acted unreasonably, thereby justifying an order for costs against them.

Dawe J determined that the husband should pay the wife's costs. While the specific reasons for this determination are not detailed in the provided text, the court's power to award costs in family law matters is discretionary and typically exercised having regard to the conduct of the parties and the overall justice of the case. The court fixed the quantum of these costs.

The court ordered that the respondent husband pay the applicant wife's costs fixed in the sum of $18,925.00.