The petitioner can ask the court to make an order for the dissolution costs (i.e. solicitor’s costs and Court fee) particularly if the petition is based on the respondent’s unreasonable behaviour.

If the respondent objects to paying costs then this can be stated in the Acknowledgment of Service and representations can be made at the conditional order hearing where the respondent or the respondent’s representative will have to demonstrate to the Court as to why a costs order should not be made.  Usually an agreement is arrived at when costs are being claimed to avoid the parties having to attend court on the issue.