Table RR – Counsel’s circuit fees

Table RR sets out the circuit fees payable to counsel for appearances in criminal trials in the Supreme Court or in the County Court of the gazetted circuit towns. (The circuit fees which apply to pleas are contained in Table NN.) 

These fees are effective from 1 October 2011. For fees payable in matters prior to this date see Costs payable in criminal law matters in the VLA Handbook (September 2011).

Each circuit fee in Table RR applies to each five days, or part of each five days, of a trial. If the trial lasts longer than five sitting days, then an additional circuit fee is payable.

If a trial is interrupted by a weekend or by some other cause, then the circuit fee is payable only for each five sitting days of the court.

If counsel or a lawyer advocate appears in a number of matters during any five-day period, then one circuit fee only is payable. Counsel or the lawyer advocate must share that one circuit fee equally between or among each of the matters.

If counsel or a lawyer advocate must stay overnight in the circuit town, then an overnight fee of $145 is also payable for:

• accommodation
• meals
• sundry expenses.