{"id":"sr:county-court-fees-regulations-2018","name":"County Court (Fees) Regulations 2018","slug":"county-court-fees-regulations-2018","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":184141,"registerId":"vic-sr:county-court-fees-regulations-2018-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"County Court (Fees) Regulations 2018","content":"Version No. 002\n\n**County Court (Fees) Regulations 2018**\n\n**S.R. No. 172/2018**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n1 March 2022\n\n**TABLE OF PROVISIONS**\n\n*Regulation Page*\n\n1 Objective 1\n\n2 Authorising provision 1\n\n3 Commencement 1\n\n4 Revocation 1\n\n5 Definitions 1\n\n6 No fee payable in certain proceedings 3\n\n7 Fees in Schedule 1 3\n\n8 Payment of fees generally 4\n\n9 Fees and multiple parties 4\n\n10 When fees are payable 5\n\n11 Payment of setting down fee 5\n\n12 Payment of hearing fees 6\n\n13 Payment of mediation fees 7\n\n14 Waiver of fees 7\n\n15 Reduction of standard fee to concession fee 8\n\n16 Refund of fees 9\n\n17 Establishing appropriate fee status 9\n\nSchedule 1—County Court fees 11\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes 14\n\n1 General information 14\n\n2 Table of Amendments 16\n\n3 Amendments Not in Operation 17\n\n4 Explanatory details 18\n\n**Version No.** **002**\n\n**County Court (Fees) Regulations 2018**\n\n**S.R. No. 172/2018**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n1 March 2022\n\n\t1 Objective\n\nThe objective of these Regulations is to prescribe the fees payable in respect of matters in the County Court.\n\n\t2 Authorising provision\n\nThese Regulations are made under section 79A of the **County Court Act 1958**.\n\n\t3 Commencement\n\nThese Regulations come into operation on 14 December 2018.\n\n\t4 Revocation\n\nThe County Court (Fees) Interim Regulations 2017[[1]](#endnote-2) are **revoked**.\n\n\t5 Definitions\n\nIn these Regulations—\n\n***Chapter I*** means the County Court Civil Procedure Rules 2008[[2]](#endnote-3) or any subsequent Rules which constitute Chapter I of the Rules of the County Court;\n\nReg. 5 def. of *commence-ment fee* revoked by S.R. No. 10/2022 reg. 4.\n\n* * * * *\n\n***concession fee payer*** means a person who holds a current health care card within the meaning of the Social Security Act 1991 of the Commonwealth at the time a fee is payable;\n\n***corporate fee payer*** means an entity other than a standard fee payer or a concession fee payer;\n\n***court official*** means a registrar and a deputy registrar;\n\n***judicial officer*** means a judge, an associate judge and a judicial registrar;\n\n***mediation fee*** means the fee payable under item 8 of Schedule 1;\n\n***other hearing fee*** means the applicable fee specified in item 24 of Schedule 1 arising from the conduct of a hearing on the second or subsequent days (other than a trial day) of a matter referred to in the item 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17 or 18 of that Schedule;\n\n***standard fee payer*** means—\n\n(a) a natural person other than a natural person acting in the capacity of a statutory office holder; or\n\n(b) an entity which is a not-for-profit organisation  that—\n\n(i) operates exclusively for charitable, civil or other social purposes; and\n\n(ii) does not share or allocate the funds or profits of the organisation with the owners, shareholders or executives of the organisation; or\n\n(c) an entity that has a turnover of less than $200 000 in the financial year before the financial year in which a fee in Schedule 1 is to be paid; or\n\n(d) the executor or administrator of a deceased estate;\n\n***the Act*** means the **County Court Act 1958**.\n\n\t6 No fee payable in certain proceedings\n\n(1) Unless an application to which a fee relates is an application under Chapter I, no fee is payable under these Regulations in respect of the following—\n\n(a) a criminal proceeding under the **Criminal Procedure Act 2009**;\n\n(b) a matter under the **Sentencing Act 1991**;\n\n(c) an appeal from the Magistrates' Court or the Children's Court;\n\n(d) a matter to which Chapter III (the County Court Criminal Procedure Rules 2009[[3]](#endnote-4)) applies;\n\n(e) any application made by the Office of Public Prosecutions or the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.\n\n(2) Despite subregulation (1), in any proceeding referred to in that subregulation, the applicable fee in item 25, 26 or 30 of Schedule 1 is payable.\n\n\t7 Fees in Schedule 1\n\n(1) The fees set out in Schedule 1 are payable in the court as specified in that Schedule and in accordance with these Regulations.\n\n(2) For a corporate fee payer, the fee for an item specified in column 2 of Schedule 1 is the corresponding fee in column 3 of that Schedule.\n\n(3) For a standard fee payer, the fee for an item specified in column 2 of Schedule 1 is the corresponding fee in column 4 of that Schedule.\n\n(4) For a concession fee payer, the fee for an item specified in column 2 of Schedule 1 is the corresponding fee in column 5 of that Schedule.\n\n\t8 Payment of fees generally\n\n(1) Subject to subregulation (2) and regulations 11 and 12, fees are payable by the party, person or other entity at whose request or on whose behalf the document is filed or the service rendered.\n\n(2) Where a fee is payable as a result of an order or a direction made on the court's own motion, the fee is payable by the party which commenced the proceeding, unless the court otherwise orders.\n\n\t9 Fees and multiple parties\n\nIf a request to file a document or render a service is made on behalf of multiple parties in a proceeding a single fee is payable and—\n\n(a) if one or more of the parties making the request is a corporate fee payer, the fee applicable to a corporate fee payer is to be paid; or\n\n(b) if none of the parties making the request is a corporate fee payer and one or more of the parties making the request is a standard fee payer, the fee applicable to a standard fee payer is to be paid.\n\n**Examples**\n\n1 There are 2 plaintiffs in a proceeding and one is a corporate fee payer and one is a standard fee payer: a single fee is payable and that fee is the fee applicable to the corporate fee payer.\n\n2 There are 2 plaintiffs in a proceeding and one is a concession fee payer and the other is a standard fee payer: a single fee is payable and that fee is the fee applicable to the standard fee payer.\n\n\t10 When fees are payable\n\nUnless the court otherwise orders or a court official otherwise determines, a fee fixed by these Regulations (other than a hearing fee, setting down fee or mediation fee) is payable—\n\n(a) subject to paragraph (b), when—\n\n(i) the relevant document is filed; or\n\n(ii) the relevant service is rendered; or\n\n(iii) the relevant event takes place; or\n\n(b) if a court official who is requested by a party to file a document or render a service requires a fee to be paid before the document is filed or the service is rendered, at the time of the request.\n\n\t11 Payment of setting down fee\n\n(1) Subject to any order of the court, an applicable setting down fee in relation to any proceeding is payable by the party seeking the hearing, being—\n\n(a) the party which commenced the proceeding; or\n\n(b) if the party seeking the hearing is not the party referred to in paragraph (a), that other party.\n\n**Example**\n\nIf a proceeding is set down for trial and the only remaining issues to be tried are those brought by counterclaim by the defendant, the defendant is the party seeking the hearing and not the plaintiff who commenced the proceeding.\n\n(2) A setting down fee is payable—\n\n(a) no later than 6 weeks prior to the date fixed for the hearing to commence; or\n\n(b) if, at the time the date is fixed for hearing there is less than 6 weeks until the date fixed, the day after the matter is set down for hearing.\n\n(3) A setting down fee is payable only once in relation to a trial regardless of whether the date for hearing is later adjourned, vacated and relisted or the trial is heard in parts at different times.\n\n\t12 Payment of hearing fees\n\n(1) Subject to any order of the court and subregulation (2), an applicable hearing fee in relation to any proceeding is payable by the party seeking the hearing, being—\n\n(a) the party which commenced the proceeding; or\n\n(b) the party which made the interlocutory application; or\n\n(c) if the party seeking the hearing is not the party referred to in paragraph (a) or (b), that other party.\n\n**Example**\n\nA defendant files an application for summary judgment and that application proceeds to a second day of hearing: the second day hearing fee is payable by the defendant.\n\n(2) A hearing fee is not payable if the sole purpose of the hearing is the delivery of a reserved judgment.\n\n(3) An applicable first trial day hearing fee is payable—\n\n(a) no later than 5 days prior to the date set down for hearing; or\n\n(b) if at the time the date is fixed for hearing there are less than 5 days until the date fixed, the day after the matter is set down for hearing.\n\n(4) An applicable hearing fee, other than the first trial day hearing fee, is payable no later than the day before the hearing day to which it relates.\n\n\t13 Payment of mediation fees\n\n(1) A mediation fee is payable by the party which commenced the proceeding.\n\n(2) A mediation fee, based on the estimated duration of the mediation, is payable—\n\n(a) no later than 5 days prior to the date fixed for mediation; or\n\n(b) if at the time the date is fixed for mediation there are less than 5 days until the date fixed, the day after the date for mediation is fixed.\n\n(3) Any further mediation fee based on the duration of the mediation exceeding the estimated duration is payable by the day after the day of mediation to which it relates.\n\n\t14 Waiver of fees\n\n(1) Subject to subregulation (2), a fee which is payable under these Regulations is waived if, at the time the fee is payable, the party, person or other entity—\n\n(a) is legally represented in the proceeding under a pro bono scheme administered by or on behalf of—\n\n(i) the Victorian Bar Inc., an association incorporated under the **Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012**; or\n\n(ii) the Law Institute of Victoria Limited ACN 075 475 731; or\n\n(iii) Justice Connect ABN 54 206 789 276; or\n\n(b) is legally represented in the proceeding on a pro bono basis by a member of the Federation of Community Legal Centres Vic Inc., an association incorporated under the **Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012** ABN 30 036 539 902; or\n\n(c) has been granted legal aid under a legal aid scheme established under the law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory for the proceeding for which the fee would otherwise be payable; or\n\n(d) is serving a sentence of imprisonment or is otherwise detained in a detention facility, however described; or\n\n(e) is a person under the age of 18 years.\n\n(2) Any fee payable under item 25, 26 or 30 of Schedule 1 is not waived unless it is waived in accordance with section 79A(6) of the Act.\n\n**Note**\n\nSection 79A(6) of the Act provides a power to waive fees if it is established that the payment of a fee would cause financial hardship to a person.\n\n\t15 Reduction of standard fee to concession fee\n\n(1) A court official may reduce a fee for a person who is required to pay a fee as a standard fee payer to the corresponding fee payable by a concession fee payer—\n\n(a) if the person has applied for waiver of a fee which has been rejected; and\n\n(b) if the court official is of the opinion that the person has sufficient means to pay a concession fee without financial hardship.\n\n(2) If a court official reduces a fee under subregulation (1), the person is liable to pay the applicable concession fee specified in column 5 of Schedule 1.\n\n\t16 Refund of fees\n\n(1) Subject to this regulation, if a fee was paid which was not payable under these Regulations, the fee is to be refunded.\n\n(2) If a fee higher than that required to be paid was paid by mistake, the difference between the fee to be paid and fee paid by mistake is to be refunded.\n\n(3) If a fee has been paid for commencement of a proceeding and the matter is subsequently transferred to a lower court, no refund is payable.\n\n(4) No refund is payable for a setting down fee if the matter does not proceed to hearing.\n\n(5) No refund is payable for a hearing fee, or a fee which encompasses the first day of hearing, if the hearing does not proceed.\n\n(6) No refund is payable for a mediation fee if the mediation does not proceed.\n\n(7) In addition to subregulations (1) to (6), a court official may refund a fee if satisfied there are exceptional reasons justifying the refund of the fee in a particular case.\n\n\t17 Establishing appropriate fee status\n\n(1) This regulation applies to—\n\n(a) a standard fee payer; and\n\n(b) concession fee payer; and\n\n(c) any fee payer claiming or entitled to a waiver or refund of a fee specified in Schedule 1.\n\n(2) A fee payer to whom this regulation applies must provide to a court official, when requested to do so, information or evidence that establishes, as the case requires, that the fee payer is—\n\n(a) a standard fee payer; or\n\n(b) a concession fee payer; or\n\n(c) entitled to a waiver or refund of a fee in Schedule 1.\n\n(3) If a court official is satisfied that the information or evidence provided under subregulation (2)—\n\n(a) establishes the fee payer's status as a standard fee payer, the fee payer is liable to pay the applicable standard fee specified in column 4 of Schedule 1; or\n\n(b) establishes the fee payer's status as a concession fee payer, the fee payer is liable to pay the applicable concession fee specified in column 5 of Schedule 1; or\n\n(c) entitles the fee payer to a waiver or refund of a fee specified in Schedule 1, the fee is waived or refunded as appropriate.\n\n(4) If a lower fee has been charged or paid in accordance with this regulation and the fee payer should have paid a higher fee or was not entitled to the relevant status—\n\n(a) a court official may reinstate the correct fee and require its payment; and\n\n(b) the fee payer is liable for the reinstated fee and must pay the difference between the fee originally paid (if any) and the reinstated fee.\n\nSch. 1 amended by S.R. No. 10/2022 reg. 5.\n\nSchedule 1—County Court fees\n\nReg. 7\n\n| *Column 1    Item No.* | *Column 2    Item* | *Column 3   Corporate    fee payer* | *Column 4   Standard    fee payer* | *Column 5   Concession    fee payer* |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n|  | **COMMENCEMENT FEES** |  |  |  |\n| 1 | Commencement of any proceeding or matter, including counterclaim, defence and counterclaim, third party and subsequent party notices, not referred to in items 2 to 5 | 98 fee units | 49 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n| 2 | Commencement of proceeding in Adoption List, including Substitute Parentage Order applications | N/A | 33·3 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n| 3 | Commencement of proceeding in Commercial Division Arbitration List | 75 fee units | 37·5 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n| * * * * * | | | | |\n| 5 | On transfer of a proceeding from the Magistrates' Court | 98 fee units, less any fee paid in the Magistrates' Court on commencement of the proceeding in that Court | 49 fee units, less any fee paid in the Magistrates' Court on commencement of the proceeding in that Court | 17·3 fee units, less any fee paid in the Magistrates' Court on commencement of the proceeding in that Court |\n|  | **CASE MANAGEMENT FEES** |  |  |  |\n| 6 | Filing an interlocutory application within a proceeding by summons including the first day of hearing of that application | 75 fee units | 37·5 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n| 7 | Ex parte applications | 16·9 fee units | 8·4 fee units | 4·2 fee units |\n| 8 | Mediation—per half day | 37·5 fee units | 18·7 fee units | 9·3 fee units |\n|  | **FEES FOR OTHER APPLICATIONS** |  |  |  |\n| 9 | Appeal from or review of determination of the court constituted by a judicial registrar | 75 fee units | 37·5 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n| 10 | Filing a summons under Order 71 of Chapter I for attachment of debt (Garnishee) | 75 fee units | 37·5 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n| 11 | Filing a summons for oral examination under Rule 61.04 of Chapter I | 75 fee units | 37·5 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n| 12 | Order for oral examination under Rule 67.02 of Chapter I | 7·5 fee units | 3·8 fee units | 1·9 fee units |\n| 13 | Filing an application for a warrant of seizure and sale under Order 69 of Chapter I | 7·5 fee units | 3·8 fee units | 1·9 fee units |\n| 14 | Filing an application for a warrant of possession of land under Order 70 of Chapter I | 7·5 fee units | 3·8 fee units | 1·9 fee units |\n| 15 | Filing an application for an attachment of earnings order under Order 72 of Chapter I | 75 fee units | 37·5 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n| 16 | Filing an application under section 6 or 8 of the **Judgment Debt Recovery Act 1984** | 4·9 fee units | 2·4 fee units | 1·2 fee units |\n| 17 | For each sitting of a judicial officer or court official taking accounts or evidence, making enquires or acting as a special examiner | 75 fee units | 37·5 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n| 18 | Application for assessment of damages or value | 75 fee units | 37·5 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n|  | **HEARING FEES** |  |  |  |\n| 19 | Setting down for trial | 90·2 fee units | 45·1 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n| 20 | Trial day 1 | 70 fee units | 35 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n| 21 | Trial days 2, 3    and 4—per day | 100 fee units | 50 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n| 22 | Trial days 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9—per day | 160 fee units | 80 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n| 23 | Trial day 10    and subsequent    days—per day | 220 fee units | 110 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n| 24 | Other hearing fee, other than trial days—per day | 70 fee units | 35 fee units | 17·3 fee units |\n|  | **ADMINISTRATIVE FEES** |  |  |  |\n| 25 | Search for paper file | 4·9 fee units | 2·4 fee units | 1·2 fee units |\n| 26 | Search for electronic file with a copy included | 1 fee unit | 1 fee unit | 1 fee unit |\n| 27 | For every certificate of the registrar | 1 fee unit | 1 fee unit | 1 fee unit |\n| 28 | To register an interstate judgment | 3·1 fee units | 1·6 fee units | 1 fee unit |\n| 29 | Issuing a subpoena | 6 fee units | 3 fee units | 1·5 fee units |\n| 30 | For photocopying any document | 60 cents per page | 60 cents per page | 60 cents per page |\n\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\nThe County Court (Fees) Regulations 2018, S.R. No. 172/2018 were made on 23 October 2018 by the Governor in Council under section 79A of the **County Court Act 1958**, No. 6230/1958 and came into operation on 14 December 2018: regulation 3.\n\nThe County Court (Fees) Regulations 2018 will sunset 10 years after the day of making on 23 October 2028 (see section 5 of the **Subordinate Legislation Act 1994**).\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided regulation, rule or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subregulations, subrules or subclauses the original regulation, rule or clause becomes subregulation, subrule or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original regulation, rule or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after  \n1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any heading inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.  \nThis includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; Orders; Parts into which an Order is divided; clauses; regulations; rules; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms.  \nSee section 36(1A)(2A)(2B).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Statutory Rule. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after  \n1 January 2001 forms part of that Statutory Rule. Any punctuation inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.  \nSee section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in a Statutory Rule form part of that Statutory Rule, whether inserted in the Statutory Rule before, on or after  \n1 January 2001. Provision numbers include regulation numbers, rule numbers, subregulation numbers, subrule numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of a Statutory Rule is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of a Statutory Rule. See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThis publication incorporates amendments made to the County Court (Fees) Regulations 2018 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and Acts.\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\nCounty Court (Fees) Amendment Regulations 2022, S.R. No. 10/2022\n\n| *Date of Making:* | 15.2.22 |\n| --- | --- |\n| *Date of Commencement:* | 1.3.22: reg. 3 |\n\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n3 Amendments Not in Operation\n\nThis version does not contain amendments that are not yet in operation.\n\n4 Explanatory details\n\n1. Reg. 4: S.R. No. 115/2017. [↑](#endnote-ref-2)\n\n2. Reg. 5 definition of ***Chapter I***: S.R. No. 148/2008. Reprint No. 3 as at 1 March 2016. Reprinted to S.R. No. 162/2015. Subsequently amended by S.R. Nos 43/2016, 144/2016, 21/2017 and 36/2017.\n\n  3 Reg. 6(1)(d): S.R. No. 183/2009. Reprint No. 2 as at 1 March 2018. Reprinted to S.R. No. 24/2018. Subsequently amended by S.R. No. 134/2018.\n\n  ——\n\n  **Fee Units**\n\n  These Regulations provide for fees by reference to fee units within the meaning of the **Monetary Units Act 2004**.\n\n  The amount of the fee is to be calculated, in accordance with section 7 of that Act, by multiplying the number of fee units applicable by the value of a fee unit.\n\n  The value of a fee unit for the financial year commencing 1 July 2021 is $15.03. The amount of the calculated fee may be rounded to the nearest 10 cents.\n\n  The value of a fee unit for future financial years is to be fixed by the Treasurer under section 5 of the **Monetary Units Act 2004**. The value of a fee unit for a financial year must be published in the Government Gazette and a Victorian newspaper before 1 June in the preceding financial year. [↑](#endnote-ref-3)\n\n3.  [↑](#endnote-ref-4)","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available content, there is no indication that the scope of this regulation changed from its original intent. It appears to function as a standard fee-setting instrument, consolidated from its original 'as made' form, consistent with its stated purpose of prescribing County Court fees."},"complexity_factors":["The legislation content provided is extremely sparse — little more than a title, version history metadata, and status labels","Fee regulations are generally straightforward in structure, typically consisting of a table listing services and corresponding dollar amounts","No substantive provisions, definitions, or exceptions are visible in the provided text to analyse","Limited cross-referencing or interaction with other complex legislative frameworks apparent from the provided content"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation sets the official fee schedule for using the County Court of Victoria, covering charges for filing documents, starting or responding to cases, hearings, and related services. It affects litigants, their lawyers, and businesses involved in County Court matters — and matters because those fees are payable to access court processes and can delay or bar proceedings if not paid."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains focused on its original purpose of prescribing court fees. The 2022 amendment (Version 002) appears to be a minor technical update—revoking the definition of 'commencement fee' and adjusting Schedule 1 fees—rather than an expansion of scope. The structure and intent remain consistent with the 2018 version."},"complexity_factors":["Three-tier fee payer classification system with specific eligibility criteria (corporate, standard, concession) requiring evidence to establish status","Fee calculation requires external reference to Monetary Units Act 2004 and annual fee unit values published in Government Gazette","Multiple timing rules for different fee types (setting down: 6 weeks; first trial day: 5 days; other hearing days: day before; mediation: 5 days)","Nested exceptions to fee exemptions—criminal proceedings generally exempt but items 25, 26, and 30 still apply","Complex refund rules with six specific non-refundable scenarios and one discretionary exception","Cross-references to County Court Act 1958, County Court Civil Procedure Rules 2008, and other Victorian legislation","Escalating hearing fee structure with four different daily rates depending on trial length (day 1, days 2-4, days 5-9, day 10+)"],"plain_english_summary":"This legislation sets out the fees people and organisations must pay when using Victoria's County Court for civil (non-criminal) matters. It creates a three-tier fee system: **corporate fee payers** (businesses and large organisations) pay the highest rates, **standard fee payers** (individuals, small businesses under $200k turnover, not-for-profits, and deceased estates) pay middle rates, and **concession fee payers** (people with health care cards) pay the lowest rates.\n\n**Key things the rules cover:**\n- **What you pay for:** Starting a court case, filing applications, mediation, trial days, and administrative services like photocopying or file searches\n- **When fees are waived:** For people with legal aid, pro bono lawyers, prisoners, or children under 18\n- **Special rules:** Multiple parties pay the highest applicable fee among them; setting down fees must be paid 6 weeks before trial; hearing fees escalate for longer trials (days 1, 2-4, 5-9, and 10+ have different rates)\n- **No fees for:** Criminal cases, sentencing matters, appeals from lower courts, or applications by public prosecutors (except for specific administrative fees)\n\nThe fees are calculated using \"fee units\" (a dollar amount set annually by the Treasurer—currently $15.03 per unit), which allows fees to adjust for inflation without changing the regulations."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Regulations implement the objective stated in reg 1 by prescribing fees and payment procedures for County Court matters and revoke the interim 2017 regulations (reg 4). Amendments adjust fees and some definitions (see S.R. No.10/2022) but do not broaden or narrow the fundamental scope of prescribing court fees and related rules (reg 7; Schedule 1)."},"complexity_factors":["Three distinct payer categories with different rates (corporate, standard, concession) create tiering across many items (reg 7; Schedule 1).","Fees expressed in fee units require conversion to dollar amounts under the Monetary Units Act and vary annually (Endnotes — Fee Units).","Detailed timing and payment rules for setting down, hearing and mediation fees, including different deadlines and non‑refund rules (regs 11–13, 16).","Multiple exceptions and scope limits (no fee for most criminal/appeal matters but specific admin fees still apply) (reg 6).","Discretion given to court officials to reduce, reinstate or request evidence of status and to refund only for ‘exceptional reasons’ (regs 15, 16, 17).","Large Schedule 1 with many itemised fees and stepped rates by trial day increases administrative burden for correct classification (Schedule 1).","Recent amendments update definitions and Schedule entries (Sch. 1 amended by S.R. No. 10/2022) without altering core mechanics."],"plain_english_summary":"These Regulations set out the County Court’s fee schedule and the procedural rules for paying, reducing, waiving or refunding those fees. They fix different rates for corporate, standard and concession payers and express amounts in fee units, with detailed timing and payment rules in Schedule 1.\n\nMechanically, the party who requests filing or services normally pays (reg 8–11), court officials can require evidence of payer status and reduce fees (regs 15, 17), and specified waivers apply in listed circumstances (reg 14). This changes the direct financial cost of using County Court processes and allocates administrative discretion over fee status and relief."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/county-court-fees-regulations-2018","history":"/api/acts/county-court-fees-regulations-2018/history","analysis":"/api/acts/county-court-fees-regulations-2018/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/county-court-fees-regulations-2018/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/county-court-fees-regulations-2018/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/county-court-fees-regulations-2018/documents"}}