Pike and Pike (Costs)

In *Pike and Pike (Costs)*, Coleman J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application for costs following an appeal filed by the father on 30 August 2006. The specific nature of the underlying dispute between the parties is not detailed in the provided text, but the matter before the court concerned the allocation of legal expenses arising from the father's unsuccessful appeal.

The central legal issue before Coleman J was the quantum of costs to be awarded to the mother in relation to the father's appeal. The court was required to determine whether to order the father to pay the mother's costs and, if so, to what extent, considering any potential limitations on the amount.

Coleman J ordered that the father pay the mother's costs associated with his appeal. However, this liability was capped, with the total sum payable by the father not to exceed $4000. The precise amount of costs was to be determined by agreement between the parties or, failing agreement, by assessment or taxation.