P v Child Support Registrar

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT 1 On 11 August 2014, the Court delivered its judgment in P v Child Support Registrar [2014] FCAFC 98, dismissing the appeal and ordering the parties to file written submissions on the question of costs within 14 days. 2 The appellant filed no submissions. The first respondent submitted that there were no special circumstances justifying a departure from the usual rule that costs follow the event. The second respondent had previously filed a submitting appearance save as to costs. 3 Section 43 of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) confers on the Court a broad discretionary power to award costs. The discretion is to be exercised judicially, according to well established principles including that costs ordinarily follow the event: Tramanco Pty Ltd v BPW Transpec Pty Ltd (No 2) [2014] FCAFC 58 at [2]. 4 We agree with the submission made by the first respondent that there is no reason why the usual rule should not apply. The appeal was unsuccessful. Accordingly, the appellant will be ordered to pay the respondents' costs of the appeal. . I certify that the preceding four (4) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justices Perram, Perry and Gleeson.