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County Court (Chapter 1 Amendment No.22) Rules 2007

Legislation · Victoria · 2020
County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 S.R. No. 127/2007 TABLE OF PROVISIONS Rule Page 1 Object 1 2 Authorising provisions 1 3 Commencement 1 4 Appendix A substituted 1 APPENDIX A—Scale of Costs 1 ═══════════════ ENDNOTES 37 i -- 1 of 38 -- STATUTORY RULES 2007 S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court Act 1958 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 A majority of the Judges of the County Court makes the following Rules: 1 Object The object of these Rules is to substitute an increased scale of costs to the County Court Rules of Procedure in Civil Proceedings Rules 1999. 2 Authorising provisions These Rules are made under section 78 of the County Court Act 1958 and all other enabling powers. 3 Commencement These Rules come into operation on 1 January 2008. 4 Appendix A substituted For Appendix A to the County Court Rules of Procedure in Civil Proceedings Rules 19991 substitute— 'APPENDIX A SCALE OF COSTS Scale of Fees and costs to be paid to Counsel and Practitioners between party and party and between Practitioner and Client. 1 -- 2 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 r. 4 The Judge, Registrar or other taxing officer shall have full discretion to allow any fee, cost or disbursement in full, or in part. In appropriate cases should the Judge, Registrar or other taxing officer consider the fee, cost or disbursement provided by the scale to be inadequate to compensate for the work actually done, the Judge, Registrar or other taxing officer may allow an appropriate fee which in the circumstances is considered to be fair and reasonable. A B C D Up to and including $7500 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $50 000 Institution of Proceedings 1. Instructions to sue including letter before action, preparation of brief to and attendance on counsel, preparation of originating process, statement of claim, notice of defence and copies, filing, attending to service, and affidavit of service $406.00 $529.00 $581.00 $642.00 If Statement of Claim exceeds 10 folios for each additional folio such additional fees pursuant to item 26 as appropriate Consent of litigation guardian including, preparation of memorandum copies and obtaining signature of litigation guardian $120.00 $158.00 $161.00 $173.00 2. Instructions to defend, including perusal of statement of claim, and filing of appearance $299.00 $192.00 $258.00 $268.00 2 -- 3 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 $471.00 3. Instructions to institute or defend any original proceeding or to appeal or oppose an appeal where not elsewhere provided for $310.00 $388.00 $428.00 $82.00 4. Instructions to institute or oppose any interlocutory proceeding, or instructions for special affidavit where not elsewhere provided for $54.00 $82.00 $82.00 Issues and Particulars $342.00 5. (a) Counterclaim or third party notice including preparation of brief to and attendance on counsel, copies, filing and service $217.00 $287.00 $310.00 If counterclaim or third party notice exceeds 10 folios for each additional folio, such additional fees pursuant to item 26 as appropriate (b) Perusal of counterclaim or third party notice and making copies $54.00 $38.00 $54.00 $54.00 3 -- 4 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 Defence $217.00 6. (a) Any necessary further pleading, notice claiming contribution or indemnity, including preparation of brief to and attendance on counsel, copies, filing and service $129.00 $179.00 $192.00 If defence, any necessary further pleading or any Notice claiming contribution or indemnity exceeds 8 folios, for each additional folio such additional fees pursuant to item 26 as appropriate $54.00 (b) Perusal of Defence, any necessary further pleading, notice claiming contribution or indemnity and making copies $38.00 $54.00 $54.00 4 -- 5 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 $256.00 7. Request for further particulars including special damages or preparation of further particulars or special damages including preparation of brief to and attendance on counsel, copies, filing, service, perusal of further particulars, or special damages, or request, and making copies thereof $178.00 $217.00 $228.00 Discovery 8. (a) Notice for discovery including copies, filing, service, perusal of affidavit of documents, and making copies thereof $96.00 $129.00 $159.00 $173.00 $428.00 (b) Affidavit of documents including instructions for affidavit, copies, swearing, filing and service $268.00 $344.00 $388.00 5 -- 6 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 If affidavit exceeds 10 folios for each additional folio such additional fees pursuant to item 26 as appropriate provided that the Judge, Registrar or other taxing officer is satisfied in all the circumstances that it is fair and reasonable to do so. Interrogatories 9. (a) Interrogatories for examination of one party including instructions for interrogatories, preparation of brief to and attendance on counsel, copies, filing, service, perusal of answers to interrogatories and making copies thereof $268.00 $344.00 $388.00 $428.00 6 -- 7 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 (b) Answers to interrogatories of one party including perusal of interrogatories, instructions for answers, preparation of brief to and attendance on counsel, swearing, copies, filing and service $542.00 $697.00 $772.00 $853.00 Setting Down 10. (a) Certificate of readiness including letter requesting certification, setting down and service of sealed copy $96.00 $129.00 $159.00 $173.00 (b) Perusal of certificate of readiness, certification and letter returning certificate $43.00 $72.00 $83.00 $87.00 11. (a) Notice of Trial, copies, service and filing $54.00 $82.00 $82.00 $82.00 (b) Affidavit in support of setting down, swearing and filing $126.00 $82.00 $96.00 $120.00 7 -- 8 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 Notices 12. (a) Notice to Admit including preparing of brief to and attendance on counsel, copies, filing, service, perusal of admissions and making copies thereof $96.00 $129.00 $159.00 $173.00 (b) Admissions (including perusal of notice to admit and making copies thereof), preparation of brief to and attendance on counsel, copies, filing and service $192.00 $255.00 $268.00 $299.00 $120.00 13. Notice of payment into Court, offer of compromise, or notice of acceptance including copies, filing and service $82.00 $120.00 $120.00 8 -- 9 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 $120.00 14. Any necessary notice (including notices before proceeding, notice to Transport Accident Commission, Incorporated Nominal Defendant and any other statutory notice when required), memorandum or undertaking including copies, filing or service, where not elsewhere provided for $82.00 $120.00 $120.00 Preparation and Trial 15. Callover— Solicitor's attendance $82.00 $96.00 $120.00 $120.00 Clerk's attendance $53.00 $82.00 $82.00 $82.00 Subpoena 16. (a) Including filing, copy for service attending to service $53.00 $82.00 $82.00 $82.00 (b) Each additional copy for service $3.30 $3.30 $3.30 $3.30 Expert Witnesses 17. (a) Arranging examination or inspection by an expert witness and notifying party $52.00 $82.00 $82.00 $82.00 9 -- 10 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 $38.00 (b) Notifying party of examination or inspection arranged by opposite party $14.00 $38.00 $38.00 Advice of Counsel 18. Including brief, attendance on counsel, perusal and advice $217.00 $129.00 $178.00 $192.00 Conference with Counsel 19. Appointing and attending— (a) Solicitor's attendance— per hour $217.00 $129.00 $178.00 $192.00 (b) Clerk's attendance— per hour $120.00 $82.00 $96.00 $120.00 Brief to View 20. Including arranging view, attendance on counsel and attendance at view $217.00 $129.00 $178.00 $192.00 If attendance on view exceeds half an hour for each quarter hour thereafter $14.00 $38.00 $38.00 $38.00 10 -- 11 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 Mediation and Case Conference 20A. Counsel or solicitor appearing at mediation or case conference— $1034.00 (a) Half day (3 hours or part thereof) $582.00 $850.00 $978.00 (b) Hourly rate beyond half-day $249.00 $150.00 $189.00 $212.00 (c) Daily maximum or if case settles within the day $1829.00 $1059.00 $1571.00 $1742.00 Solicitor appearing to instruct at mediation or case conference— (d) Half day (3 hours or part thereof) $269.00 $344.00 $388.00 $428.00 (e) Hourly rate beyond half-day $210.00 $127.00 $157.00 $180.00 (f) Daily maximum $644.00 $839.00 $934.00 $1039.00 Notes (i) Sub-items (a), (b) and (c) are all inclusive and include preparation, conference and appearance 11 -- 12 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 (ii) Despite anything to the contrary in item 29, the Registrar may allow a higher fee for counsel or solicitor appearing at mediation or case conference (iii) In circuit cases a circuit fee may be allowed by the Registrar in accordance with the First Schedule if in his or her opinion, having regard to all the circumstances, the fees in item 20A are insufficient Directions hearing 20B. Counsel or solicitor appearing at directions hearing $161.00 $268.00 $268.00 $268.00 12 -- 13 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 Instructions for Brief 21. For work necessarily and properly done in preparing for trial or hearing and not otherwise provided for, including— (a) taking instructions for examination of any party or witness; (b) considering the facts and the law; (c) attending on and corresponding with client; (d) interviewing and corresponding with witnesses and taking proofs of their evidence; (e) arranging to obtain reports or advice from experts and maps, plans, photographs and models; (f) making search in any public office and elsewhere for relevant documents; 13 -- 14 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 (g) inspecting any property or place material to the proceeding; (h) perusing relevant documents; (i) the general care and conduct of the proceeding—not exceeding $2127.00 $4256.00 $6069.00 $8675.00 Notes A. This item should begin with a short statement of— (i) the main issues; (ii) any particular difficulties of fact or law; (iii) any special skill, knowledge or responsibility required B. This should be followed not by a chronological narrative, but by an analysis of the work done separated on the main headings appropriate to the subject matter. Under a heading, for example, "Attendances on and correspondence with 14 -- 15 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 client" there should be included a statement of the number of attendances on the client, the total time occupied and the number of letters sent, but not the details of every attendance or of every letter. However, where objection is lodged to the stated number of letters or attendances, the practitioner lodging the bill for taxation must remove from his or her file the attendance notes and copy letters claimed, and be in a position to produce same in chronological order at the taxation. If a Judge or Registrar in respect of a party- party bill of costs or the Taxing Master on the taxation of a solicitor-client bill of costs considers that the maximum amount provided for in this item is not sufficient remuneration for the care and conduct including skill and responsibility involved throughout the course 15 -- 16 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 of proceedings and in obtaining instructions for brief or briefnotes then the Judge, Registrar or Taxing Master may allow such amount in excess of the scale or give such directions that in all the circumstances are fair and reasonable Brief to counsel to appear 22. Including attendance on counsel $120.00 $82.00 $96.00 $120.00 Attending court $428.00 23. (a) (i) Solicitor or managing clerk with counsel—per half day $268.00 $344.00 $388.00 (ii) Clerk with counsel—per half day $316.00 $205.00 $258.00 $287.00 $1270.00 (iii) Solicitor without counsel—per day $808.00 $1040.00 $1146.00 (iv) If proceeding in list for hearing but not reached $173.00 $96.00 $129.00 $159.00 16 -- 17 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 (v) Additional Solicitor or managing clerk (if certified by trial Judge)— discretionary fee (b) Pre-Trial Conference— $428.00 (i) solicitor or managing clerk with counsel $268.00 $344.00 $388.00 (ii) solicitor without counsel $640.00 $406.00 $524.00 $580.00 Solicitor or managing clerk attending trial at a Court more than 50 kilometres from his or her place of business for each day of absence from office— discretionary additional fee Brief to hear judgment 24. (a) Including receiving advice of date fixed, attendance on counsel and attendance to hear judgment $129.00 $178.00 $192.00 $217.00 17 -- 18 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 (b) Brief (or brief notes for solicitor) for any unopposed application or adjournment (where not otherwise provided for) including attendance to apply $129.00 $178.00 $192.00 $217.00 Costs of the Day 25. Including— $515.00 (a) Practitioner for attending Court where no counsel employed $330.00 $428.00 $470.00 (b) Attending with counsel— $256.00 (i) Clerk $159.00 $217.00 $228.00 (ii) Practitioner or managing clerk $381.00 $231.00 $309.00 $344.00 (c) Counsel's fees $590.00 $886.00 $990.00 $1089.00 Note: These allowances shall be in addition to other items thrown away Documents 26. (a) Drawing any necessary documents where not otherwise provided for—per folio $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 $10.00 18 -- 19 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 (b) Engrossing or typing any necessary document where not otherwise provided for—per folio $8.30 $8.30 $8.30 $8.30 (c) Copies—any necessary carbon, photo or machine made copy— where not otherwise provided for—per page $2.10 $2.10 $2.10 $2.10 $4.10 (d) Perusals of any necessary letter, document or part of a document (not otherwise provided for)— per folio $4.10 $4.10 $4.10 $3.20 (e) Examination or scanning any document which it is not necessary to peruse (not otherwise provided for)— per page $3.20 $3.20 $3.20 $120.00 (f) Applications including copies, issuing and filing $96.00 $120.00 $120.00 19 -- 20 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 $38.00 (g) Affidavit of service including swearing, copies and filing $38.00 $38.00 $38.00 $428.00 (h) Any necessary affidavit (not otherwise provided for) including preparation, copies, swearing, filing and service $268.00 $344.00 $388.00 $11.00 (i) Fax or e-mail transmission or receipt if urgent or necessary in the discretion of the Registrar, or electronic filing in accordance with Part 2 of Order 28, if filing is not elsewhere provided for in this scale $11.00 $11.00 $11.00 Letters 27. (a) Any necessary letter (including agency letters) $38.00 $25.00 $32.00 $36.00 (b) For each circular letter after the first $11.00 $11.00 $11.00 $11.00 20 -- 21 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 Attendances 28. Any necessary attendance not otherwise provided for (including attendance on witness to arrange appearance without subpoena, or to cancel such appearance)— (a) Which is capable of being made by a clerk—per quarter hour $34.00 $18.00 $30.00 $32.00 $45.00 (b) Which requires the personal attention of the solicitor or managing clerk and involves the exercise of skill or legal knowledge—per quarter hour $36.00 $38.00 $38.00 (c) Service by post $18.00 $38.00 $38.00 $38.00 (d) Personal service $60.00 $60.00 $60.00 $60.00 Service of any document where necessary, and not able to be served by post. 21 -- 22 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 Where it is judged appropriate, the Registrar may allow additional proper costs having regard to the time taken, the distance travelled and any other necessary expense incurred (e) Attempted service Where more than one attendance is necessary to effect service, or to ground an application for substituted service, for each necessary attendance $36.00 $36.00 $36.00 $36.00 (f) Service by leaving Service of a document on party by filing or leaving at the office of the party's solicitor or other address for service, where that mode of service is necessary $27.00 $27.00 $27.00 $27.00 22 -- 23 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 Fees to Counsel 29. (Note: No fee to counsel is to be allowed unless vouched by the signature of counsel or his or her clerk)— (a) For drawing pleadings or settling any necessary document including Statement of Claim, Defence, Interrogatories, etc. $153.00 $189.00 $212.00 $249.00 (b) (i) To advise on evidence or for opinion $153.00 $230.00 $249.00 $280.00 (ii) Advice on Pre-Trial Conference $230.00 $342.00 $371.00 $421.00 (c) Conference on view—per hour $249.00 $153.00 $189.00 $212.00 (d) Pre-Trial Conference with Registrar $431.00 $560.00 $623.00 $686.00 $409.00 (e) Brief to hear Judgment or for any application in a proceeding $327.00 $372.00 $409.00 23 -- 24 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 (f) Brief on Trial— (i) Property, Personal Injuries $1058.00 $1571.00 $1742.00 $1829.00 (ii) Commercial Causes $1829.00 (g) Refresher fee— (i) Property, Personal Injuries $705.00 $1039.00 $1156.00 $1218.00 (ii) Commercial Causes $1218.00 Any allowance for a refresher fee is to be calculated in the manner set out in Rule 63A.82(3) (h) (i) In circuit cases, a circuit fee may be allowed and the amount thereof fixed by order of the Judge, in accordance with the First Schedule of this scale, if, in his or her opinion 24 -- 25 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 (having regard to all the circumstances, including travelling expenses, living expenses and absence from Chambers) the scale fee is insufficient but the total amount of the scale fee and the circuit fee shall not exceed the fee marked on the brief. (ii) In any case where a refresher is certified for, a further circuit fee may be allowed in accordance with the First Schedule in this scale. (iii) Where in any such case the Judge certifies for two counsel, all reasonable and necessary 25 -- 26 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 attendances and copies additional to those which would have been necessary had only one counsel been employed shall be allowed. (iv) In any proceeding or matter notwith- standing anything contained in the rules or in the scale of costs, apart from item 20A, the trial Judge ONLY may on application allow such higher fee for counsel (including more than one counsel) as he or she thinks fit. 26 -- 27 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 (v) Despite anything contained in these Rules— (A) where a trial has commenced, the Judge ONLY may allow such higher fee for counsel for the trial and may allow fees for more than one counsel as the Judge thinks fit, save that this sub- item does not apply to the allowances set out in item 20A. 27 -- 28 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 (B) where no trial has commen- ced, the Registrar or other taxing officer may allow such higher fee for counsel and may allow fees for more than one counsel as the Registrar or other taxing officer thinks fit. (vi) Undefended proceedings (see item 38) Practice Court 30. Application for order for substituted service (not including fees of advertising) $470.00 $558.00 $618.00 $681.00 31. Application for Leave to Proceed $277.00 $178.00 $217.00 $253.00 28 -- 29 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 Interpleader 32. (a) Bailiff— solicitor or counsel appearing $686.00 $791.00 $857.00 $939.00 b) Claimant— solicitor with or without counsel appearing $574.00 $672.00 $726.00 $786.00 (c) Creditor— solicitor with or without counsel appearing $574.00 $672.00 $726.00 $786.00 Other Applications in Proceedings 33. (a) Applicants costs—solicitor with or without counsel appearing $626.00 $740.00 $798.00 $861.00 (b) Respondents costs—solicitor with or without counsel appearing $574.00 $686.00 $740.00 $804.00 29 -- 30 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 Summons to Debtor 34. (a) Judgment Creditor on hearing— solicitor with or without counsel appearing $626.00 $740.00 $798.00 $861.00 (b) costs of adjournment— solicitor with or without counsel appearing $455.00 $531.00 $574.00 $616.00 The costs in items 30 to 34 are inclusive of counsel's fees, where applicable, and disbursements but do not include fees for service or filing fees for an application. These costs are subject to increase or reduction at the discretion of the Court. Such costs include the summons, affidavit in support, one affidavit of service, preparation, signing, service and filing of the order where appropriate. 30 -- 31 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 Miscellaneous 35. Registration of interstate Judgment $120.00 $82.00 $120.00 $120.00 36. Warrant of execution $82.00 $120.00 $120.00 $120.00 $671.00 37. Upon entering default judgment, including instructions to sue, letter before action, preparation of originating process and statement of claim, including copies, issuing, arranging for service, affidavit of service and entry of judgment $428.00 $548.00 $610.00 Undefended proceedings 38. Upon judgment in any proceeding where the defendant has not participated throughout the course of the proceeding, including originating process, statement of claim, issue and service fees, setting down, fixing proceeding for trial, arranging attendance of witnesses at court, witnesses expenses, instructions for and preparing of brief, attending counsel therewith, appointing 31 -- 32 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 and attending pre-trial conference, attendance at Court and fees to counsel for both trial and conference $2748.00 $3744.00 $4133.00 $4541.00 For the purpose of this item the fees payable to counsel which are included in the above amounts are: A B C D $635.00 $1158.00 $1316.00 $1396.00 Should any unusual or abnormally large disbursement have necessarily been made in addition to those mentioned above, the Judge may on application made to him or her at the trial allow an appropriate additional amount. 32 -- 33 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 A B C D Over $50 000 Over $20 000 up to and including $50 000 Over $7500 up to and including $20 000 Up to and including $7500 39. In addition to the allowance of any disbursement hereinbefore provided, the Registrar or other taxing officer may allow any disbursements necessarily or properly made in the course of the proceeding. Rating Appeals 1. As to all items and charges under this heading, as far as practicable Scale "A" shall apply where the annual value appealed against is up to and including $1000 and Scale "B" where the annual value appealed against is over $1000. 2. Whenever any rating appeal case is, in the opinion of the presiding Judge, of such a special important nature that the fees above specified would not be a fair and reasonable remuneration for the trouble, care, skill and expense necessarily involved in the proper preparation and conduct of such appeal case he or she may allow such lump sum, as in his or her opinion, would amount to such fair and reasonable remuneration. Providing that nothing hereinstated with regard to costs of rating appeals shall prevent the Judge from making such order as to costs of fixing the same at such sum as he or she shall think fit. Witnesses' Expenses Witnesses giving evidence in an expert or professional capacity, $152.00–$302.00 per hour or part thereof, not exceeding $1886.00 per day. Persons not referred to in the preceding paragraph who are engaged in business as principals on their own behalf—$315.00 per half day or part thereof but not in any event to exceed $565.00 in any one day. Other witnesses—$94.00 per hour, provided that a witness who receives wages, salary, remuneration or fees may be allowed the amount actually lost by reason of attendance not exceeding $565.00 per day. 33 -- 34 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 Travelling expenses, if witnesses residence or place of business is more than seven kilometres from place of hearing, the sum reasonably and actually paid. Witnesses attending in more than one case will be entitled to a proportionate part only in each case. Professional, scientific or expert witnesses, for time necessarily occupied in qualifying to give evidence, to be allowed such reasonable sum as was necessarily and properly incurred. Meals and Accommodation of Witnesses A reasonable sum to be fixed by the Registrar. In cases in which it is considered reasonable to bring heavy or bulky articles to court or the precincts of the court as exhibits or for inspection by Judge or Jury, a reasonable sum may be allowed for costs of conveyance or transport. Interpreter Allowances (a) Attending professional, scientific or expert witnesses qualifying to give evidence attending conference with solicitor or counsel $64.00, or for each hour $44.00 but not in any event to exceed $272.00 in any one day. (b) Attending court where the period of absence from the place of business or residence is four hours or less, $157.00, and for each hour or part thereof in excess of four hours, $44.00, but not in any event to exceed $272.00 in any one day. Travelling Accommodation and Meals A reasonable sum to be fixed by the Registrar. __________________ 34 -- 35 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 SCHEDULE CIRCUIT FEES Circuit Town Fee for first six hours Further fee for each five hours thereafter Bairnsdale $420.00 $280.00 Ballarat $268.00 $181.00 Bendigo $318.00 $211.00 Geelong $228.00 $146.00 Hamilton $437.00 $292.00 Horsham $437.00 $292.00 Mildura $535.00 $354.00 Morwell $322.00 $211.00 Sale $380.00 $250.00 Shepparton $366.00 $246.00 Wangaratta $401.00 $265.00 Warrnambool $420.00 $280.00 Wodonga $437.00 $292.00 Note: Any circuit fee allowed under item 29(h)(i) shall be in accordance with this Schedule, provided that not more than one such further circuit fee will be allowed in any one day in relation to any one proceeding or matter.'. Dated: 22 November 2007 M. ROZENES, Chief Judge T. G. WODAK J. T. DUGGAN F. J. SHELTON M. D. HIGGINS W. R. WHITE J. H. BARNETT T. M. HOLT D. E. MORROW T. D. WOOD M. G. McINERNEY I. C. ROBERTSON M. A. RIZKALLA G. R. ANDERSON 35 -- 36 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 r. 4 P. D. JENKINS F. P. HAMPEL J. R. BOWMAN A. J. HOWARD J. A. NICHOLSON L. A. HANNAN J. A. SMALLWOOD M. D. MURPHY M. E. SEXTON M. E. KENNEDY I. E. LAWSON C. M. O'NEILL G. GULLACI D. L. ALLEN K. R. HOWIE I. J. K. ROSS W. A. WILMOTH F. G. DYETT G. T. CHETTLE A. P. DUCKETT S. S. DAVIS ═══════════════ 36 -- 37 of 38 -- S.R. No. 127/2007 County Court (Chapter I Amendment No. 22) Rules 2007 Endnotes ENDNOTES 1 Rule 4: S.R. No. 20/1999. Reprint No. 3 incorporating amendments as at 25 January 2006. Subsequently amended by S.R. Nos 167/2006, 168/2006 and 120/2007. 37 -- 38 of 38 --