Following a nine‑day family law trial concerning child support income, arrears, section 7 expenses, spousal support, and distribution of trust funds, both parties sought substantial costs awards against the other.
The court considered the Family Law Rules, particularly Rule 24, and the principles governing costs including proportionality, success at trial, reasonableness of conduct, and the parties’ financial circumstances.
The court found that success at trial was divided, with each party prevailing on different issues.
Certain claimed fees and disbursements were disallowed because costs for earlier steps had not been reserved to the trial judge.
After weighing the relevant factors, the court concluded that fairness required each party to bear their own costs.
