Policy Bulletin 2020/7 Fees: Increased fees for private lawyers in State matters

17 July 2020

The Legal Aid NSW Board approved an increase in fees paid to private lawyers doing legal aid work. The increase to fees applies to all State matters from 1 July 2020.

Background

In November 2019 Attorney General Mark Speakman announced that the NSW Government would provide an additional $88 million to Legal Aid NSW over four years. This injection of funding will to go towards increasing the amount private lawyers are paid to conduct legal aid work.

The current fees paid to private lawyers in State matters will increase from 1 July 2020. There will be further fee increases on 1 July each year for the next three years.

  • What has changed?

    The base hourly rate for solicitors has increased from $150 to $160 and counsel’s fees have increased by 6.67%. The fee for a gaol visit has increased from $150 to $320.

Where do I find the changes?

The increased fee scales for State matters are published in the Fee Scales. 

Commencement date

Invoices in Grants Online will automatically apply the increased fees for work done from 1 July 2020.

Contact for further information

Email Mary Whitehead or phone 02 9219 5114.