Appeal by defendant from an order of the Supreme Court, Nassau County (McGinity, J.), dated August 10, 1981, which awarded plaintiff a counsel fee in the sum of $2,000. Order reversed, on the law, with $50 costs and disbursements, and matter remitted to Special Term for further proceedings consistent herewith. In order to award a counsel fee, the court must determine need on a gender-neutral basis (Domestic Relations Law, § 237; Palmer v Palmer, 76 A.D.2d 905). An application for a counsel fee must also comply with section 699.11 of the rules of this court ( 22 NYCRR 699.11) with respect to the official form required to be filed, and the parties are directed to file same. Gulotta, J.P., Thompson, Brown and Niehoff, JJ., concur.