InBrief

Legal Aid NSW has made two changes to practitioner fees aimed at achieving greater consistency across all areas of law. The changes are effective for each new approval from 5 January 2009.

1.�� Reduction in the maximum number of hours hearing time from six hours to five hours per day.� In some areas of law the previous maximum number hours per day was six hours. This was not consistent with other areas of law (e.g. criminal) which have a maximum of five hours.� This change to the maximum number of hours ensures� consistency across all areas of law.

2.��� The 50 per cent solicitor advocate loading for private practitioners in state care and protection matters has been removed. This applies for each new approval. The 50 per cent loading was payable to solicitors appearing in complex matters and/or for additional hearing time after 12 hours of hearing time had been completed. The 50 per cent loading was not offered in other areas of law.

The changes can be found on the "For Legal Practitioners" page on the Legal Aid NSW web site under Fee Scales.

12 January 2009