Opinion ID: 1403137
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: the husband's certiorari-related attorney's fee quest

Text: ¶ 20 The husband claims in this court a certiorari-related counsel fee. In the class of statutorily authorized litigation, counsel fee incurred in corrective process, much like taxable costs, may be allowed by the court in which the services were performed. [23] Counsel-fee allowance claimed in matrimonial disputes never depends on one's status as prevailing party in the case. It may be granted to a litigant who qualifies for the added benefit by the statute-mandated process of judicial balancing of the parties' equities. [24] ¶ 21 Based on our review of the record, there are here no compelling or overriding equitable considerations in favor of either litigant. We hence hold that each party shall bear its own counsel-fee obligation and any other litigation-related expenses incurred in the certiorari process. The trial court is not precluded from entertaining the parties' pleas for a counsel-fee award (and for litigation expenses) that will be connected with legal services to be rendered and expenses to be incurred in the post-remand phase of the proceedings. [25] Requests for an allowance of these liability items should be brought in the trial court after conclusion of the post-remand evidentiary process.