Edmunds and Edmunds (No.3)

In *Edmunds and Edmunds (No.3)*, the Family Court of Australia considered an application by the Wife for an order that the Husband pay her costs of the proceedings.

The primary legal issue before the Court was whether the Wife should be ordered to pay the Husband's costs, despite her initial application for such an order. This required the Court to consider the conduct of the parties during the litigation and whether any party had acted unreasonably, thereby justifying a costs order against them.

Judge Obradovic found that the Wife's conduct throughout the proceedings had been unreasonable. Her Honour noted that the Wife had pursued a claim that was not supported by evidence and had failed to comply with court orders. Consequently, the Court determined that it was appropriate to depart from the usual rule that costs follow the event and to order the Wife to pay the Husband's costs.

The Court ordered that within 28 days, the Wife was to pay to the Husband costs in the amount of $21,960.