Costs typically arise in every family law trial and are subject to judicial discretion. This paper provides an overview of general costs principles in family law trials in Alberta, with a focus on recent family law trial decisions. It discusses the general nature of costs, interim costs, and enhanced costs, as well as how positive misconduct, formal offers of settlement, and Calderbank offers can impact the calculation of enhanced costs.

This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Family Law Trial Fundamentals program in Calgary on November 17, 2016 and in Edmonton on November 22, 2016.