Strahan and Strahan (No. 4)

In *Strahan and Strahan (No. 4)*, Strickland J of the Family Court of Australia considered an application for costs made by the husband. The wife had made an application for property settlement, and the husband sought an order for costs against her in relation to that application.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the wife should be ordered to pay the husband's costs, and if so, in what amount and upon what terms. This involved an assessment of the conduct of the parties in the proceedings and the overall justice of the case in relation to costs.

Strickland J ordered the wife to pay the sum of $45,000.00 towards the husband's costs. This payment was to be made to the trust account of the husband's solicitors and was contingent upon the final resolution of the wife's application for property settlement.