HUDSON & HUDSON

In *Hudson & Hudson*, the husband was ordered to pay the wife’s costs of an amended application filed in 2011. The court also certified that it was reasonable to engage counsel to attend the proceedings, pursuant to Order 19.50 of the *Family Law Rules 2004*.

The central legal issue before the court was the assessment and award of costs in family law proceedings. Specifically, the court was required to determine whether the husband should be ordered to pay the wife's costs and whether the engagement of counsel was a reasonable expense to be included in those costs.

The court applied the principles of cost orders in family law matters, which generally allow for costs to be awarded based on the outcome of the proceedings and the reasonableness of expenses incurred. By ordering the husband to pay the wife's costs and certifying the reasonableness of engaging counsel, the court indicated its finding that the wife was the successful party in relation to the amended application and that the legal representation was a necessary and justifiable expense.