The plaintiff, Tracey Lynn Kirstine, sought costs after successfully obtaining an interlocutory injunction.
The defendants argued that costs should be reserved to the trial judge or that their offers to settle should be considered.
The court, applying Rule 57.03(1) of the Rules of Civil Procedure, determined that an immediate costs award was appropriate, particularly given the defendants' breach of a prior order.
The court awarded the plaintiff $65,000 in all-inclusive costs, with 75% payable jointly and severally by Neil Kirstine and Jeremy Ellis, and the remaining balance split equally and severally among Tone Valeriote, Christine Brandt, and Donna Sparks.