Pilot and Pilot (No. 2)

In *Pilot and Pilot (No. 2)*, Benjamin J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application for security for costs. The dispute arose in the context of family law proceedings between a husband and wife.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the wife should be granted an order for security for costs against the husband. This involved assessing the husband's financial capacity and the overall merits of the wife's case to determine if such an order was just and equitable.

Benjamin J ordered the husband to pay $100,000.00 to the wife as security for costs within sixty days. This sum was to be paid into the trust account of the wife's solicitor and applied towards her accounting and legal costs associated with the proceedings. The costs of both parties in respect of the application filed on 15 October 2007 were reserved. The court also certified that it was reasonable to engage counsel to attend the proceedings, pursuant to Rule 19.50 of the *Family Law Rules 2004*.