Spurling & Ors and Spurling

In the Family Court of Australia, Benjamin J considered applications for costs made by the husband, Mr J Spurling and Ms K Spurling (collectively referred to as the "Spurlings"), and the first and second interveners against the wife, Ms Spurling. The dispute concerned the wife's liability for the costs incurred by the Spurlings and the interveners in family law proceedings.

The court was required to determine whether the wife should be ordered to pay the costs of the Spurlings from specific dates, namely 8 March 2018 or alternatively 9 August 2019, and whether the wife should be ordered to pay the costs of the first and second interveners. The court also had to consider the quantum and timing of any such costs orders.

Benjamin J ordered that the wife pay the Spurlings' legal costs in the sum of $80,000 and the husband's legal costs in the sum of $20,000. These payments were to be made at the time the husband made the final $100,000 payment due to the wife under the property orders. The court noted that this payment could be satisfied by the husband directing the funds to the Spurlings and interveners directly, rather than through the wife. All other outstanding applications for costs were dismissed.