Harris and Hines

In the matter of *Harris and Hines*, heard before Cronin J, the dispute concerned the payment of costs and expert witness fees. The wife had filed written submissions on 11 September 2007, and the husband had not filed a response.

The court was required to determine the quantum and allocation of costs and fees payable by the husband to the wife. Specifically, this included the husband's contribution to the valuation fees of a court-appointed single expert witness, fixed costs previously determined on 28 June 2007, and the wife's costs associated with her property settlement application, including those arising from a letter dated 20 February 2007 and her written submissions.

Cronin J ordered that the husband pay to the wife $1320, representing approximately half of the valuation fees for the single expert witness, by 29 October 2007. Additionally, the husband was ordered to pay the sum of $1630 for costs fixed on 28 June 2007, also by 29 October 2007. Finally, the husband was directed to pay the wife's costs of and incidental to her property settlement application, from 20 February 2007 onwards, including the costs of her written submissions filed on 11 September 2007. These latter costs were to be agreed between the parties or, failing agreement, determined by the Registrar in accordance with the Family Law Rules 2004.