Haseloff and Kormann and Ors

In *Haseloff and Kormann and Ors*, Dawe J of the Family Court of Australia was required to determine the appropriate orders regarding the costs of proceedings between the husband and wife. The dispute concerned the division of property and the associated costs incurred by the parties.

The primary legal issue before the court was the apportionment of costs between the husband and wife. Specifically, the court had to decide what proportion of the wife's costs the husband should be ordered to pay, and how the costs of any joint valuations should be treated.

Dawe J ordered that the husband pay two-thirds of the wife's costs of and incidental to the proceedings on a party and party basis. However, the costs of any joint valuations were to be borne equally by the husband and wife. The sum payable by the husband for the wife's costs was to be determined by agreement between the parties within twenty-one days, failing which it was to be assessed by a Registrar in accordance with the Family Law Rules 2004 (Cth).