The applicant sought that parties bear their own costs, while the respondent sought over $237,000 in costs for a bifurcated parenting trial.
The court, applying the Family Law Rules, found the respondent to be the more successful party at trial.
While acknowledging the applicant's limited means, the court awarded the respondent $104,662 in costs, comprising fees for two law firms and costs thrown away from a prior adjournment, but significantly reduced the amount sought due to excessive billing and the partial success of the respondent's offer to settle.