Richard and Briar (No. 5)

In the matter of *Richard and Briar (No. 5)*, Dessau J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application concerning costs. The dispute arose in the context of ongoing family law proceedings between the parties.

The central legal issue before the court was the determination of the quantum of costs to be paid by the wife to the husband, and how those costs should be satisfied.

Dessau J reasoned that the wife should bear the husband's costs, fixing the amount at $14,000. The court ordered that this sum be deducted from the wife's share of property to be received under paragraph 20 of the court's orders. A transcript of the reasons for this costs order was directed to be prepared and retained on the court file.