Following a 36-day high-conflict family law trial where the applicant father was entirely successful on custody and child support, the court determined the appropriate costs award.
The applicant sought nearly $265,000 in costs, having spent $300,000 on legal fees, while the respondent mother spent over $200,000.
The court found the applicant's offers to settle triggered the presumption of full recovery under Rule 18(14) for certain issues, and noted the respondent's unreasonable behaviour significantly lengthened the trial.
Balancing proportionality, affordability, and the respondent's conduct, the court ordered the respondent to pay $192,000 in costs.
