Many practitioners will already be aware of the new costs regime coming into force in the Victorian Supreme Court next week – 1 April 2013. It is worth noting. For those who would like a handy “cheat sheet” summary, I refer you to this excellent one prepared by my friend and colleague, Paul Duggan.
No April Fool’s Day jokes please.
Effective 1 April 2013 the Victorian Supreme Court has a new costs regime.
The highlights:
- The ‘party and party basis’ (by which most Supreme Court cost bills have historically been taxed) is axed.
- Henceforth, costs orders will generally be taxed on the more generous ‘solicitor and client basis’ (that is “all costs reasonably incurred and of reasonable amount”) although that yardstick is to be renamed the ‘standard basis.’
- Costs on an indemnity basis remain available.
- Solicitors’ time on the standard basis will be claimable in 6 minute units at the rate of $36 + GST per unit (ie $360 + GST per hour).
- Unless otherwise ordered, the maximum daily allowance for counsel is $5000 + GST per day for juniors and $7500 + GST per day for silks.
- Photocopying (currently allowable at a whopping $2.30 per page) becomes discretionary but is likely to be…
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Carrie Rome-Sievers, Barrister 