Stephens and Stephens

In the matter of *Stephens and Stephens*, Strickland J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application concerning costs. The proceedings involved a dispute between a husband and wife, though the precise nature of their underlying dispute is not detailed in the provided text.

The primary legal issue before the court was the determination of costs, specifically relating to costs thrown away on 18 November 2010 and the costs of an oral application for an adjournment made by the husband on 19 November 2010. The court was required to decide whether to reserve these costs or make an immediate order.

Strickland J ordered that the matter be further adjourned for mention to 9:30 am on Thursday, 28 April 2011, with leave granted for both parties and their legal representatives to attend by telephone. Crucially, the application for costs made by the wife, in relation to costs thrown away on 18 November 2010, and the costs of the husband's oral application for an adjournment on 19 November 2010, were further reserved to this adjourned mention date.