Galante and Galante and Ors (No 2)

In *Galante and Galante (No 2)*, Berman J of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia was required to determine an application for costs following substantive proceedings between the parties. The application concerned the costs incurred by the husband and the second, third, and fourth respondents in relation to the litigation.

The primary legal issue before the court was the appropriate order for costs to be made against the wife, considering the outcome of the substantive proceedings and the conduct of the parties. This involved assessing whether the costs should be fixed or assessed, and whether they should be awarded on a party/party or solicitor/client basis.

Berman J ordered that the wife pay the husband's costs, fixed at $50,597, to be paid upon the final determination of the substantive proceedings. The wife was also ordered to pay the second respondent's costs, fixed at $41,071, within ninety days of the order. Furthermore, the wife was to pay the third and fourth respondents' costs on a solicitor/client basis, to be agreed or determined by a Registrar upon taxation.