Donovan and Hargrave (No.5)

In *Donovan and Hargrave (No.5)*, heard before Judge Scarlett, the applicant sought an order for costs against the respondent. The dispute concerned the reasonableness of employing an advocate for the applicant and the quantum of those costs.

The court was required to determine whether it was reasonable for the applicant to have engaged an advocate for the proceedings, and if so, to fix the amount of costs to be paid by the respondent.

Judge Scarlett certified under rule 21.15 of the relevant court rules that it was reasonable to employ an advocate for the applicant. Consequently, the respondent was ordered to pay the applicant’s costs, which were fixed at $14,456.50. The respondent was granted six months to satisfy this costs order.