The applicant father and respondent mother both sought costs following a motion where success was divided.
The father was unsuccessful on temporary custody and venue but successful on parenting schedule terms.
The mother served two offers to settle, both containing parenting terms more favourable to the father than the final order.
The court found the mother was entitled to costs due to her early and severable offers, and her success on key issues.
The father was ordered to pay the mother $9,000 in costs, payable in instalments, despite his argument regarding ability to pay.
