Victoria Legal Aid Handbook for Lawyers

Stage 3 – trial costs for ICLs

Under a Stage 3 grant, fees are available (where applicable) to an independent children's lawyer (ICL):

  • Stage 3A – trial costs for ICLs.

This fee table is effective from 1 January this year. For fees prior to this, see Archived versions of the Handbook.

For more information, see Preparation for trials and trial costs – ICLs (FCFCOA).

Stage 3A – trial costs for ICLs

Under a stage 3A grant, fees are available (where applicable) to an independent children's lawyer:

Service/proceedingsCourtFee
3A.1 – instructing fee (5 hours maximum)FCFCOA$208 per hour, up to $1040
Defended daily feeFCFCOA$1707
Conference (2 hour maximum at $237 per hour)FCFCOAup to $474
Take judgmentFCFCOA$237

Entitlements and conditions

  • The stage 3A grant is a broadband grant.
  • Where counsel is briefed, the 3A.1 instructing fee is available at key points of the final hearing where it is essential for the ICL to act as instructor in the proceedings in order to form an opinion as to what is in the child’s best interests based on the evidence.
  • The defended daily fee, conference fee and take judgment fee are available where the ICL appears as solicitor advocate.
  • The fee for taking judgment is available where the appearance is required on a separate day to receive the judgment.

Reviewed 19 May 2024