Strahan & Strahan (No. 7)

In *Strahan & Strahan (No. 7)*, Strickland J of the Family Court of Australia considered applications by the wife for an interim property settlement of $5 million and by the husband for costs. The wife sought funds to pursue allegations of non-disclosure by the husband, while the husband sought costs following the dismissal of certain applications.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether compelling circumstances existed to justify the wife's substantial interim property settlement application, and whether the husband was entitled to an order for costs. The court also had to consider the wife's need for funds to proceed to trial and the overall assessment of required costs in light of the available property and the legitimate expectations of both parties.

Strickland J found that while the wife required funds to proceed to trial, the circumstances did not meet the threshold of "compelling" to justify the full $5 million sought for costs and disbursements. However, recognising the wife's need for financial resources to prosecute her case, the court ordered the husband to pay the sum of $1 million to the wife by way of interim property settlement. The husband's application for costs was dismissed, with the court noting his control over the majority of assets and ability to fund his own legal expenses. The question of costs relating to the Independent Children's Lawyer was adjourned.