Fee increases judged
fine for Courts

Fee increases have been announced for the Supreme Court of NSW in an effort to raise additional revenue for the Courts system.
   Attorney-General John Hatzistergos, said the Court would increase its Civil Litigants fee and the Victims Compensation Levy.
   Mr Hatzistergos said the Supreme Court would charge civil litigants a daily hearing fee if their case ran for two days or more, while currently the fee was imposed after 10 days.
   He said the changes were in line with the Federal Court.
   “We welcome businesses and other civil litigants who regard Sydney as a centre of excellence for commercial law,” Mr Hatzistergos said.

Supreme Court to pay way better

   “But at the same time we recognise that NSW taxpayers shouldn’t have to bear an excessive burden due to the conduct of those cases in this State.”
   Mr Hatzistergos said in the past, the fees imposed on civil litigants only covered 25% of the cost of hearing the cases.
   He said the fee would now be $345 for a half day or $690 for a full day of Court time.
   “The new fee structure brings NSW in line with other Australian jurisdictions that have long recognised civil litigants should contribute to the cost of resolving their commercial disputes,” he said.
   “In recent years the Supreme Court has heard many large commercial cases, commonly referred to as mega-litigation, as a number of high profile defamation matters, yet until now we were charging less than other jurisdictions.”
   Mr Hatzistergos said the Victims Compensation Levy paid by people convicted of offences would double to $140 for people convicted of serious offences and $60 for less serious offenders.
   He said increasing the existing levy was expected to raise an additional $2.4 million per year.
   “The Victims Compensation Fund ensures much needed support services are available to victims of crime throughout the state to help them with their recovery,” he said.
   “Victims can receive assistance with counselling, medical costs, loss of earnings and loss of personal effects.
   “This is an important part of the healing process,” he said.

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Fee increases judged fine for Courts

Fee increases judged
fine for Courts