Can a family court order security for costs against a party before a case proceeds further?

Yes, in certain circumstances a family court can order a party to post security for costs — essentially funds or a guarantee set aside to cover a potential future costs award — before allowing the case to proceed further. This is generally used where there's a real, demonstrated concern that the party in question wouldn't be able to satisfy a costs award later, such as where they live outside the jurisdiction with limited connection or assets here, or where their conduct in the case has already shown a pattern of ignoring court orders, including prior costs orders.

This isn't a routine step in ordinary family litigation and is meant to protect the other party from being left unable to recover costs they've properly earned, rather than as a way to pressure a party who simply has fewer financial resources. A court asked to order security for costs weighs the genuine risk of non-payment against the effect ordering it would have on that party's ability to participate in the case at all, since it can be a significant financial barrier. Anyone facing a request for security for costs should get legal advice given how fact-specific and consequential this kind of order can be.