Table A2 – Standard fees in State family cases in the Family Division of the Children’s Court

Table A2 shows the standard fees payable by Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) in State family cases in the Children’s Court (Family Division).

These fees are effective from 1 January this year. For fees payable prior to this see Archived versions of the Handbook.

These fees cover all necessary work. VLA will not allow claims for additional work, except as provided for as follows:

• VLA will pay for four interim accommodation hearings without any extensions of aid
• In the event that the interim accommodation order is continued by consent and without any substantial negotiation having taken place, the directions hearing fee is payable
• In the event that the application proceeds to an interim contest or defended hearing an extension of assistance is required
• No additional fee is payable for pre-contest mentions
• VLA will pay the fee in Table A2 - Stages 1, 2 & 5 if the court requires the attendance of the parties at a directions hearing
• Where an interim accommodation order contested hearing does not proceed to hearing or is not resolved by final orders, the fee in Table A2 in Stages 1, 2 & 5 is payable
• VLA will pay the preparation fee in Table A2 in Stages 1, 2 & 5 for final defended hearing as follows:
  • if the matter settles at the conciliation conference or final directions hearing
  • if the matter does not settle at the conciliation conference or directions hearing, and if assistance is granted for final defended hearing.
• Fees for a second or subsequent day of hearing: where the interim contest or defended hearing continues beyond one full day, VLA will pay an additional fee for every day or part of a day beyond the first day of defended hearing in accord with the fees set out in Table A2
• Where a matter has been listed for a conciliation conference, VLA will pay the preparation and appearance fees in the table. The appearance fee includes any attendance at the post-conciliation conference mention held on the same day. If the mention is held on another day the post-conciliation conference mention fee is payable
• Where a solicitor attends a conciliation conference which is adjourned, without hearing, the adjourned conciliation conference fee is payable. This fee includes attendance at the post-conciliation conference mention held on the same day. Where the mention is held on another day the post-conciliation conference mention fee is payable
• Where a conciliation conference proceeds beyond three hours, an hourly rate of $165 is payable in addition to the attendance fee. This hourly rate is only applicable where the conference itself proceeds beyond three hours, and does not apply to time at court following the conciliation conference
• Where counsel is briefed to attend the conciliation conference, counsel must be briefed at the attendance at conciliation conference fee in Table A2 Stages 1, 2 & 5 which includes a conference between counsel and the client to prepare for the conference and attendance at the post-conciliation conference mention held on the same day
• In the event that the application proceeds to an interim accommodation order appeal hearing an extension of assistance is required pursuant to Guideline 3
• Applications for internal reviews of case planning decisions under Guideline 4.1 are new applications for assistance. Applications for external reviews are by way of extension on a pre-existing grant under Guideline 4.1 or a new application where the internal review has been undertaken without a grant of legal assistance.

Practitioners can claim these fees using ATLAS.

Practitioners can claim these fees using ATLAS. Applications under Guideline 3 are made via an extension of the substantive Child Protection grant in ATLAS.

Practitioners can claim these fees using ATLAS. Applications under Guideline 4.1 are submitted as a new application on ATLAS. Applications under Guideline 4.2 can be submitted as either a new application or an extension on a grant under Guideline 4.1 on ATLAS.

No travel fee is payable for internal case plan reviews as these matters are paper based. Travel is payable in the circumstances and at the rate set out below for external case plan reviews.

Lump sum fees for appeals in the County Court

Practitioner can claim these fees using ATLAS.

Lump sum fees for judicial review and appeal in the Supreme Court

Practitioners can claim these fee using ATLAS.

Travel

Where an advocate appears in the hearing of a state family case in the Children’s Court (Family Division) which is more than 40 kilometres from the advocate’s usual place of business, a travelling fee may be paid.

This fee is calculated at the rate of 79 cents per kilometre for each kilometre of the return trip in excess of 80 kilometres, and is paid as a disbursement. VLA will pay $171 for every necessary overnight stay in the circuit town.