Jobbsin and Jobbsin

In *Jobbsin and Jobbsin*, the Honourable Justice Cronin considered applications for spousal maintenance and legal costs in proceedings between a husband and wife. The dispute concerned the financial support of the wife and the contribution towards legal expenses incurred by both parties in ongoing litigation.

The court was required to determine the appropriate level of spousal maintenance to be paid by the husband to the wife, and to make orders regarding the provision of funds to the wife for the purpose of conducting litigation. Additionally, the court needed to address the husband's liability for the wife's legal costs, particularly in circumstances where he had incurred significant expenses for his own legal representation and expert witnesses.

Justice Cronin ordered the husband to pay spousal maintenance of $345 per week until further order, with the first payment due on 31 October 2008. The court also directed the husband to facilitate the drawing down of $10,000 from the mortgage on the parties' home, to be paid to the wife to assist with litigation costs. This sum was to be considered by the trial judge as a partial distribution of property, costs, or maintenance. Furthermore, the husband was ordered to match any legal costs and expenses he paid in excess of $10,000 towards the wife's legal costs on the same terms. The remaining proceedings were to be transferred to the Federal Magistrates Court for listing, and all interim proceedings were dismissed. The court certified that it was appropriate for both parties to brief counsel.