Victoria Legal Aid Handbook for Lawyers

Table E – Lump sum fees for the Children's Court and Magistrates’ Court stage of an indictable crime matter

Table E sets out the fees payable by Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) for indictable cases proceeding through the committal stream in:

  • the Criminal Division of the Children's Court
  • the Magistrates' Court.

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

Service/proceedingHoursFee payable

The lump sum general preparation fee covers the work involved in:

  • obtaining instructions
  • advising about defence
  • negotiating with the prosecution
  • perusing the hand-up brief
  • preparing the Form 32 (Case Directions Notice).
4$684
Brief analysis and case strategy fee4$684

Additional preparation (contested committal/negotiations):

  • payable where a contested committal is aided
  • includes preparing the Form 32 (Case Directions Notice).
5$855

Appearance committal mention/case conference/summary jurisdiction application/application for leave to cross-examine witnesses
VLA will pay for subsequent committal mention only if, either:

  • the lawyer has applied (if appropriate) for an Appeal Costs Certificate
  • the lawyer satisfies VLA that substantial negotiation took place.
2.5$427
Ground rules hearing (daily appearance fee)-$463
Special mention1$171
Appearance on contested committal: day 1
Where a plea is heard at committal no additional fee is payable
$1226
Appearance on contested committal: day 2
Where a plea is heard at committal no additional fee is payable
$1105
Jail conference
Plea fee except where a plea on day of committal contest
$177
Committal which resolves as a plea in the Magistrates’ Court, and which is heard on a day other than the committal contest (this can be the same day as the committal mention)$513
Sentence fee (heard on another day other than the plea day)$305

Practitioners can claim these fees using ATLASExternal Link or submitting a tax invoice.

Printing of depositions from disk if:

  • printing is necessary and
  • there are more than 2000 pages to print.

VLA will only pay for pages in excess of 2000 at the rate of 16 cents per page or at commercial rates, whichever is less. The lawyer must obtain approval in advance from VLA.

Reviewed 31 December 2023