Archived versions of the Handbook | VLA Handbook for Lawyers

Archive date and link	Why it was archived	Archived version includes
VLA Handbook November, 2023	Effective 1 September 2022, Guideline 4 – coronial inquest guideline changed and the following changes were implemented: Guideline 4 is now 4.1 and 4.2 Updated Table N. We also increased all professional fees by 2 per cent effective from 1 January 2023. The fee increase applies to all existing grants of legal assistance where the matter has not been finalised, and new grants made on or after that date. All appearances and additional preparation completed prior to the changes attract the old fees. We have also updated section 15 – Special circumstances. State and Commonwealth special circumstances can now be found on one page.	All guidelines and applicable fees prior to 1 January 2023.
VLA Handbook 31 August 2022 (due to a technical error, please use the sitemap in this archive to navigate the archived pages)	Effective 1 September 2022, State family law guidelines changed to Child protection guidelines. The following changes were implemented: Guideline 2.1 – changes to requirements for breach proceedings Guideline 2.3 – readiness hearings and judicial resolution conferences was added to the child protection guidelines Guideline 3 – has been expanded when we will provide legal assistance Guideline 5 – has been expanded when we will provide legal assistance Note on Guideline 2 – expanded the definition of extraordinary circumstances Updated Table A2 Table T increased CMIA fees included in table.	All guidelines and applicable fees prior to 1 September 2022.
VLA Handbook 21 July 2022 (due to a technical error, please use the sitemap in this archive to navigate the archived pages)	Effective 22 July, Guideline 6 of the Criminal law guidelines was updated. The following changes were implemented: VLA’s approval of a grant of assistance would be based on a ‘reasonable basis for the bail application’, rather than the previous ‘realistic prospect of bail being granted’ The definition of ‘reasonable basis’ replaced the previous ‘realistic prospect of bail being granted’ Specific instances where there would always be a reasonable basis to make a bail application were stated. We also made minor updates to: Guideline 4 – trials in the County or Supreme courts Guideline 10 – Serious Offenders Act 2018 Table Z – Fees for applications and reviews in Serious Offenders Act 2018 proceedings Stage 4 – trial costs in the federal family courts Table K – Lump sum fees for appeals to the Court of Appeal	All guidelines, applicable fees and processes prior to 22 July 2022.

Archive date and link

Why it was archived

Archived version includes

VLA Handbook November, 2023

Effective 1 September 2022, Guideline 4 – coronial inquest guideline changed and the following changes were implemented:

Guideline 4 is now 4.1 and 4.2
Updated Table N.

We also increased all professional fees by 2 per cent effective from 1 January 2023. The fee increase applies to all existing grants of legal assistance where the matter has not been finalised, and new grants made on or after that date. All appearances and additional preparation completed prior to the changes attract the old fees.

We have also updated section 15 – Special circumstances. State and Commonwealth special circumstances can now be found on one page.

All guidelines and applicable fees prior to 1 January 2023.

VLA Handbook 31 August 2022 (due to a technical error, please use the sitemap in this archive to navigate the archived pages)

Effective 1 September 2022, State family law guidelines changed to Child protection guidelines. The following changes were implemented:

Guideline 2.1 – changes to requirements for breach proceedings
Guideline 2.3 – readiness hearings and judicial resolution conferences was added to the child protection guidelines
Guideline 3 – has been expanded when we will provide legal assistance
Guideline 5 – has been expanded when we will provide legal assistance
Note on Guideline 2 – expanded the definition of extraordinary circumstances
Updated Table A2
Table T increased CMIA fees included in table.

All guidelines and applicable fees prior to 1 September 2022.

VLA Handbook 21 July 2022 (due to a technical error, please use the sitemap in this archive to navigate the archived pages)

Effective 22 July, Guideline 6 of the Criminal law guidelines was updated. The following changes were implemented:

VLA’s approval of a grant of assistance would be based on a ‘reasonable basis for the bail application’, rather than the previous ‘realistic prospect of bail being granted’
The definition of ‘reasonable basis’ replaced the previous ‘realistic prospect of bail being granted’
Specific instances where there would always be a reasonable basis to make a bail application were stated.

We also made minor updates to:

All guidelines, applicable fees and processes prior to 22 July 2022.