RICE & RICE (No.2)

In the matter of *Rice & Rice (No.2)*, Judge Obradovic of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia considered an application by the husband for a stay of proceedings pending an appeal, and a separate application by the wife. The core of the dispute revolved around the husband's attempt to halt further proceedings in the Family Court while he pursued an appeal, alongside the wife's own application.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether to grant the husband's application for a stay of proceedings. This required the court to consider the relevant legal principles governing such applications, including the likelihood of success on appeal, the balance of convenience, and the potential for injustice to either party. The court also had to determine the appropriate course of action for the wife's separate application.

Judge Obradovic dismissed the husband's application for a stay, finding that the necessary criteria for such an order were not met. The court ordered the husband to pay the wife's costs in the sum of $2,987 within 42 days. The wife's application was referred to a Registrar for further determination in accordance with Rule 25B.16(2) of the Federal Circuit Court Rules 2001.