Lukes Law and Collins and Anor

In *Lukes Law and Collins and Anor*, heard before Justice Fowler, the dispute concerned the costs of the Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) in family law proceedings. The court was required to determine the quantum of the ICL's costs and the method of their apportionment between the parties.

The central legal issue before the court was the assessment and allocation of the ICL's fees. Justice Fowler considered the work undertaken by the ICL and the reasonableness of the costs incurred. The court also had to determine when these costs would become payable.

Justice Fowler assessed the ICL's costs at $5,193. The court ordered that this sum be paid equally by the husband and the wife. Crucially, payment was deferred until after the resolution of the parties' property proceedings, and both parties were directed to notify the ICL once their property proceedings were finalised, whether by order or agreement.