{"id":"sr:supreme-court-fees-regulations-2018","name":"Supreme Court (Fees) Regulations 2018","slug":"supreme-court-fees-regulations-2018","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":181533,"registerId":"vic-sr:supreme-court-fees-regulations-2018-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Supreme Court (Fees) Regulations 2018","content":"Version No. 003\n\n**Supreme Court (Fees) Regulations 2018**\n\n**S.R. No. 135/2018**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n18 November 2024\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 4\n\n7 Fees in Schedule 1 6\n\n8 Payment of fees generally 6\n\n9 Fees and multiple parties 6\n\n10 When fees are payable 7\n\n11 Payment of setting down fee 8\n\n12 Payment of hearing fees 9\n\n13 Payment of mediation fees 10\n\n14 Waiver of fees 10\n\n14A Exemption from fees in items 6.3 and 6.4 of Schedule 1 11\n\n15 Refund of fees 11\n\n16 Establishing appropriate fee status 13\n\nSchedule 1—Fees 15\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes 36\n\n1 General information 36\n\n2 Table of Amendments 38\n\n3 Explanatory details 39\n\n**Version No.** **003**\n\n**Supreme Court (Fees) Regulations 2018**\n\n**S.R. No. 135/2018**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n18 November 2024\n\n\t1 Objective\n\nThe objective of these Regulations is to prescribe the fees payable in respect of matters in the Supreme Court.\n\n\t2 Authorising provision\n\nThese Regulations are made under section 129 of the **Supreme Court Act 1986**.\n\n\t3 Commencement\n\nThese Regulations come into operation on 30 September 2018.\n\n\t4 Revocation\n\nThe Supreme Court (Fees) Interim Regulations 2017[[1]](#endnote-1) are **revoked**.\n\n\t5 Definitions\n\nIn these Regulations—\n\n***appeal*** includes cross-appeal, application for leave to appeal and cross-application for leave to appeal;\n\n***Chapter I*** means the Supreme Court (General Civil Procedure) Rules 2015[[2]](#endnote-2);\n\n***Chapter II*** means the Supreme Court (Miscellaneous Civil Proceedings) Rules 2018[[3]](#endnote-3);\n\nReg. 5 def. of *Chapter III* substituted by S.R. No. 124/2024 reg. 5(a).\n\n***Chapter III*** means the Supreme Court (Administration and Probate) Rules 2023[[4]](#endnote-4);\n\n***Chapter IV*** means the Supreme Court (Adoption) Rules 2015[[5]](#endnote-5);\n\nReg. 5 def. of *Chapter V* substituted by S.R. No. 124/2024 reg. 5(b).\n\n***Chapter V*** means the Supreme Court (Corporations) Rules 2023[[6]](#endnote-6);\n\n***Chapter VI*** means the Supreme Court (Criminal Procedure) Rules 2017[[7]](#endnote-7);\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***excluded proceeding*** means a proceeding under Chapter V where, in accordance with that Chapter, application is made to an Associate Judge or a judicial registrar in the first instance;\n\n***hearing fee*** means the fee payable for a hearing under items 1.9, 1.10, 2.11, 2.12, 3.13, 3.14, 3.15, 5.8 and 5.9 of Schedule 1;\n\n***interlocutory application*** does not include a summons for directions;\n\n***judge managed list of the Commercial Court*** means the following—\n\n(a) the Admiralty List;\n\n(b) the Arbitration List;\n\n(c) a Commercial List;\n\n(d) the Corporations List;\n\n(e) the Insurance List;\n\n(f) the Intellectual Property List;\n\n(g) the Taxation List;\n\n(h) the Technology, Engineering and Construction List (TEC List);\n\n(i) any other list in the Commercial Court managed by a Judge of the Court;  \n\n***legal profession legislation*** means the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Victoria), the **Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014** and the **Legal Profession Act 2004** as in force immediately before its repeal;\n\n***mediation fee*** means the fee payable under items 1.5, 1.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.10, 3.11, 5.6 and 5.7 of Schedule 1;\n\nReg. 5 def. of *news media organisation* inserted by S.R. No. 53/2020 reg. 5.\n\n***news media organisation*** has the same meaning as in section 3 of the **Open Courts Act 2013**;\n\n***setting down fee*** means the fee payable under items 1.7, 1.8, 2.10 and 3.12 of Schedule 1;\n\nReg. 5 def. of *small estate* inserted by S.R. No. 124/2024 reg. 5(c).\n\n***small estate*** means an estate to which Part II of the **Administration and Probate Act 1958** applies;\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) any 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***trial*** includes a trial of a separate question in a proceeding under Rule 47.04 of Chapter I;\n\n***winding up in insolvency proceeding*** means an application for winding up under Part 5.4 of the Corporations Act.\n\n\t6 No fee payable in certain proceedings\n\n(1) 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 or an application for judicial review regarding orders made in a criminal proceeding;\n\n(d) a matter to which Chapter VI applies;\n\n(e) any other matter which arises from a criminal proceeding;\n\n(f) a proceeding under—\n\n(i) Order 57 of Chapter I (habeas corpus);\n\n(ii) Order 75 of Chapter I (contempt);\n\n(iii) Order 81 of Chapter I (obtaining evidence for external court or tribunal);\n\n**Note**\n\nFees payable to examiners are not the subject of these Regulations.\n\n(iv) Order 5 of Chapter II (case stated);\n\n(v) Order 6 of Chapter II (reference of a question of law);\n\n(vi) Order 12 of Chapter II (jury service appeals);\n\n(vii) Order 23 of Chapter II (referrals under the **Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006**);\n\n(viii) Chapter IV;\n\n(g) an appeal from the Family Division of the Children's Court;\n\nReg. 6(1)(h)  amended by S.R. No. 124/2024 reg. 6.\n\n(h) an appeal on a question of law under section 148 of the **Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998** from an order of VCAT on the review of a determination of the Mental Health Tribunal under section 383 of the **Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022**.\n\n(2) Despite subregulation (1), in any proceeding referred to in that subregulation, the applicable fee in item 6.1, 6.3, 6.4 or 6.5 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 subregulations (2) and (3) 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 under Order 7 of Chapter II the Commissioner is required to file an objection which an objector has requested be treated as an appeal to the Court, the commencement fee is payable by the objector when applying for directions.\n\n(3) Where a fee is payable as a result of an order or a direction made of 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\n(1) A fee fixed by these Regulations (other than a hearing fee, mediation fee or setting down 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 to file a document or render a service requires it to be paid before the document is filed or the service is rendered, at the time of the request.\n\n(2) The fee in item 2.3 of Schedule 1 is payable upon the referral by the Registrar of Probates.\n\n(3) The fee in item 3.6 of Schedule 1 is payable on the entry of the matter into the applicable judge managed list of the Commercial Court.\n\n(4) The fees in items 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8 and 5.9 of Schedule 1 are only payable where they relate to an event occurring after one of the following has already taken place—\n\n(a) an in chambers assessment;\n\n(b) a mediation;\n\n(c) an interlocutory application;\n\n(d) a taxation.\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 appeal; 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 in the Court of Appeal is payable at the time the application book is delivered to the Court of Appeal under Order 64 of Chapter I.\n\n(3) A setting down fee in the Trial Division 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(4) A setting down fee is payable only once in relation to a trial or an appeal regardless of whether the date for hearing is later adjourned, vacated and relisted or the trial or appeal 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 appeal; 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 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 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) An applicable mediation fee is payable by the party which commenced the proceeding.\n\n(2) An applicable 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 person or other entity—\n\n(a) is legally represented in the proceeding under a pro bono scheme administered by or on behalf of the Victorian Bar Inc. an association incorporated under the **Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012**, the Law Institute of Victoria Limited ACN 075 475 731 or 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\nReg. 14(2) amended by S.R. No. 53/2020 reg. 6.\n\n(2) Subject to regulation 14A, any fee payable under item 6.1, 6.3, 6.4 or 6.5 of Schedule 1 is not waived unless it is waived in accordance with section 129(3) of the **Supreme Court Act 1986**.\n\n**Note**\n\nSection 129(3) of the **Supreme Court Act 1986** provides a power to waive fees if it is established that the payment of a fee would cause financial hardship to a person.\n\nReg. 14A inserted by S.R. No. 53/2020 reg. 7.\n\n\t14A Exemption from fees in items 6.3 and 6.4 of Schedule 1\n\nNo fee is payable under item 6.3 or 6.4 of Schedule 1 if the person or entity liable to pay the fee is a news media organisation or a representative of a news media organisation and the request to search, inspect, retrieve or access is undertaken for the purposes of reporting the news.\n\n\t15 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 in item 3.1 of Schedule 1 has been paid for commencement of a proceeding and the matter is subsequently removed from a judge managed list of the Commercial Court, the difference between the fee in item 3.1 and the fee in item 3.2 of that Schedule for commencement of a proceeding is to be refunded.\n\n(4) If a fee in item 3.1 of Schedule 1 has been paid for commencement of a proceeding and the matter is subsequently transferred to a lower court, the difference between the fee in item 3.1 and the fee in item 3.2 of that Schedule for commencement of a proceeding is to be refunded.\n\n(5) If a fee has been paid for commencement of a proceeding other than the fee in item 3.1 of Schedule 1 and the matter is subsequently transferred to a lower court, no refund is payable.\n\n(6) No refund is payable for a setting down fee if the matter does not proceed to hearing.\n\n(7) 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(8) No refund is payable for a mediation fee if the mediation does not proceed.\n\nReg. 15(8A) inserted by S.R. No. 124/2024 reg. 7(1).\n\n(8A) If a fee in item 4.2 of Schedule 1 has been paid on filing an application for a grant of representation under Order 2 or Order 3 of Chapter III and the application is subsequently discontinued prior to filing of the will or other document for which the grant is sought, the fee is to be refunded.\n\nReg. 15(9) amended by S.R. No. 124/2024 reg. 7(2).\n\n(9) In addition to subregulations (1) to (8A) the Prothonotary or a deputy prothonotary may refund a fee if satisfied there are exceptional reasons justifying the refund of the fee in a particular case.\n\n\t16 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 in Schedule 1.\n\n(2) A fee payer to whom this regulation applies must provide to the Prothonotary or a deputy prothonotary, 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 the Prothonotary or a deputy prothonotary 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 in 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 in Schedule 1; or\n\n(c) entitles the fee payer to a waiver or refund of a fee 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) the Prothonotary or a deputy prothonotary 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\nSchedule 1—Fees\n\nPart 1—Fees payable in the Court of Appeal registry\n\nThe fees in this Part apply in relation to all proceedings in the Court of Appeal.\n\n| *Column 1*   <br>*Item No.* | *Column 2*   <br>*Item* | *Column 3*<br>*Corporate fee* | *Column 4*<br>*Standard fee* | *Column 5*<br>*Concession fee* |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n|  | **COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDING** |  |  |  |\n| 1.1 | Commencement of an appeal | 304·8 fee units | 152·4 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 1.2 | Commencement of an application for extension of time | 177·3 fee units | 88·7 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n|  | **CASE MANAGEMENT** |  |  |  |\n| 1.3 | Commencement of an interlocutory application within an appeal other than an appeal from the Commercial Court | 86·4 fee units | 43·2 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 1.4 | Commencement of an interlocutory application within an appeal from the Commercial Court | 124·2 fee units | 62·1 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 1.5 | For every sitting of a Judge, an Associate Judge, a judicial registrar or a court official at mediation other than in an appeal from the Commercial Court—per day or part of a day | 86·4 fee units | 43·2 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 1.6 | For every sitting of a Judge, an Associate Judge, a judicial registrar or a Court official at mediation in an appeal from the Commercial Court—per day or part of a day | 124·2 fee units | 62·1 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n|  | **SETTING DOWN AND HEARING** |  |  |  |\n| 1.7 | Setting down for hearing of an appeal other than an appeal from the Commercial Court | 188·3 fee units | 94·2 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 1.8 | Setting down for hearing of an appeal from the Commercial Court | 241·7 fee units | 120·9 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 1.9 | For each day of hearing of an appeal other than an appeal from the Commercial Court | 112·9 fee units | 56·4 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 1.10 | For each day of hearing an appeal from the Commercial Court | 142·0 fee units | 71·0 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n\n\nPart 2—Fees payable in the  \nCommon Law Division and Trial Division\n\nThe fees in this Part apply in relation to all proceedings in the Common Law Division and any other proceeding in the Trial Division of the Court not included in Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5 of this Schedule.\n\n| *Column 1*   <br>*Item No.* | *Column 2*   <br>*Item* | *Column 3*<br>*Corporate fee* | *Column 4*<br>*Standard fee* | *Column 5*<br>*Concession fee* |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n|  | **COMMENCEMENT** |  |  |  |\n| 2.1 | Commencement of a proceeding or appeal (other than an appeal from an Associate Judge or a judicial registrar) | 100·2 fee units | 50·1 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 2.2 | Commencement of—<br> (a) a counterclaim under Order 10 of Chapter I; or<br> (b) a third party proceeding; or<br> (c) a claim by a third or subsequent party under Order 11 of Chapter I | <br>   <br>     100·2 fee units | <br>   <br>     50·1 fee units | <br>   <br>     20·7 fee units |\n| 2.3 | Where a matter is referred by the Registrar of Probates to the Court in accordance with section 12(2)(b) of the **Administration and Probate Act 1958** | 100·2 fee units | 50·1 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n| 2.4 | On filing—<br> (a) a summons under Rule 8.07(3) of Chapter III;<br> (b) a summons under Rule 10.02 of Chapter III seeking commission to executors, administrators or trustees; |  |  |  |\n|  | (c) a summons under Rule 11.02 of Chapter III seeking revocation of a grant of representation;<br> (d) a summons under Rule 12.02 of Chapter III seeking rectification of a will | <br>      100·2 fee units | <br>      50·1 fee units | <br>      20·7 fee units |\n|  | **CASE MANAGEMENT** |  |  |  |\n| 2.5 | Commencement of an interlocutory application within a proceeding including the first day of hearing of that application | 77·7 fee units | 38·9 fee units | 19·4 fee units |\n| 2.6 | Commencement of an appeal from an Associate Judge or a judicial registrar | 77·7 fee units | 38·9 fee units | 19·4 fee units |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n| 2.7 | For every sitting of a Judge, an Associate Judge, a judicial registrar or a court official at mediation—per half day or part of a half day | 41·3 fee units | 20·7 fee units | 10·3 fee units |\n| 2.8 | For every sitting of a Judge, an Associate Judge, a judicial registrar or a court official at a case management conference—per day or part of a day | 41·3 fee units | 20·7 fee units | 10·3 fee units |\n| 2.9 | For every sitting of a Judge, an Associate Judge, a judicial registrar or a court official at a pre-trial conference—per day or part of a day | 18·8 fee units | 9·4 fee units | 4·7 fee units |\n|  | **SETTING DOWN AND HEARING** |  |  |  |\n| 2.10 | Setting down for hearing of a trial or appeal | 112·9 fee units | 56·4 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 2.11 | For hearing a trial or an appeal— |  |  |  |\n|  | (a) for the first day—per day or part of a day; | 82·8 fee units | 41·4 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n|  | (b) for days 2 to 4—per day or part of a day; | 112·9 fee units | 56·4 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n|  | (c) for days 5 to 9—per day or part of a day; | 175·7 fee units | 87·9 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n|  | (d) for day 10 and subsequent days—per day or part of a day | 251·0 fee units | 125·5 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 2.12 | For the second or any subsequent day of hearing an interlocutory application or other application—per day or part of a day | 82·8 fee units | 41·4 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n\n\nPart 3—Fees payable in the Commercial Court\n\nThe fees in this Part apply to any proceeding in the Commercial Court.\n\n| *Column 1*   <br>*Item No.* | *Column 2*   <br>*Item* | *Column 3*<br>*Corporate fee* | *Column 4*<br>*Standard fee* | *Column 5*<br>*Concession fee* |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n|  | **COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDING** |  |  |  |\n| 3.1 | Commencement of a proceeding (other than an appeal) in a judge managed list of the Commercial Court except an excluded proceeding | 292·8 fee units | 146·4 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 3.2 | Commencement of a proceeding (other than an appeal) which is an excluded proceeding or commencement of a proceeding outside a judge managed list of the Commercial Court, other than a winding up in insolvency proceeding | 155·2 fee units | 77·6 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 3.3 | Commencement of a winding up in insolvency proceeding | 57·2 fee units | 57·2 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 3.4 | Commencement of—<br> (a) a counterclaim under Order 10 of Chapter I; or<br> (b) a third party proceeding; or<br> (c) a claim by a third or subsequent party under Order 11 of Chapter I | <br>   <br>     155·2 fee units | <br>   <br>     77·6 fee units | <br>   <br>     20·7 fee units |\n| 3.5 | Commencement of an appeal (other than from an Associate Judge or a judicial registrar) in a judge managed list of the Commercial Court | 292·8 fee units | 146·4 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n|  | **CASE MANAGEMENT** |  |  |  |\n| 3.6 | Entry of a proceeding into a judge managed list of the Commercial Court where the proceeding was commenced outside a judge managed list of the Commercial Court | 137·6 fee units | 68·8 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n| 3.7 | Commencement of an interlocutory application within a proceeding other than an application listed for hearing on an urgent basis including the first day of hearing of the application | 124·2 fee units | 62·1 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 3.8 | Commencement of an interlocutory application within a proceeding listed for hearing on an urgent basis including the first day of hearing of the application | 155·2 fee units | 77·6 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 3.9 | Commencement of an appeal from an Associate Judge or a judicial registrar of the Supreme Court | 155·2 fee units | 77·6 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 3.10 | For every sitting of a Judge, an Associate Judge, a judicial registrar or a court official at a mediation—per day or part of a day | 124·2 fee units | 62·1 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 3.11 | For every sitting of a Judge, an Associate Judge, a judicial registrar or a court official at a discovery conference or case management conference—per day or part of a day | 85·9 fee units | 43·0 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n|  | **SETTING DOWN AND HEARING** |  |  |  |\n| 3.12 | For setting down a proceeding for trial | 142·0 fee units | 71·1 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 3.13 | For hearing a trial— |  |  |  |\n|  | (a) for the first hearing day—per day or part of a day; | 96·8 fee units | 48·4 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n|  | (b) for days 2 to 4—per day or part of a day; | 142·0 fee units | 71·0 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n|  | (c) for days 5 to 9—per day or part of a day; | 213·0 fee units | 106·5 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n|  | (d) for days 10 to 14—per day or part of a day; | 322·7 fee units | 161·3 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n|  | (e) for days 15 and subsequent days—per day or part of a day; | 467·9 fee units | 234·0 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 3.14 | For hearing a public examination under Chapter V—for each day subsequent to the hearing of the application per day or part of a day | 124·2 fee units | 62·1 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| 3.15 | For hearing of an interlocutory application, other application or an appeal for the second and subsequent days—per day or part of a day | 124·2 fee units | 62·1 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n\n\nSch. 1 Pt 4 amended by S.R. Nos 53/2020 reg. 8, 124/2024 reg. 8.\n\nPart 4—Fees payable in the  \nOffice of the Registrar of Probates\n\n| *Column 1*   <br>*Item No.* | *Column 2*   <br>*Item* | *Column 3*<br>*Corporate fee* | *Column 4*<br>*Standard fee* | *Column 5*<br>*Concession fee* |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 4.1 | Posting of—<br>(a) a notice of intention to apply for a grant of representation under Chapter III | 2·2 fee units | 2·2 fee units | 2·2 fee units |\n|  | (b) a notice of intention to apply for the affixing of the seal of the Court to any probate, letters of administration or grant or order under Chapter III | 2·2 fee units | 2·2 fee units | 2·2 fee units |\n|  | (c) a notice of intention to administer an estate by State Trustees under section 79 of the **Administration and Probate Act 1958** | 2·2 fee units | 2·2 fee units | 2·2 fee units |\n|  | (d) a republished or amended notice of intention under paragraph (a), (b) or (c) | 3·0 fee units | 3·0 fee units | 3·0 fee units |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n| 4.2 | On filing an application for any grant of representation or on filing an originating motion under Chapter III— |  |  |  |\n|  | (a) if the gross value of the estate is less than $250 000 | Nil | Nil | Nil |\n|  | (b) if the gross value of the estate is $250 000 or more but less than    $500 000 | 31·5 fee units | 31·5 fee units | 31·5 fee units |\n|  | (c) if the gross value of the estate is $500 000 or more but less than $1 million | 63·0 fee units | 63·0 fee units | 63·0 fee units |\n|  | (d) if the gross value of the estate is $1 million or more but less than $2 million | 147·0 fee units | 147·0 fee units | 147·0 fee units |\n|  | (e) if the gross value of the estate is $2 million or more but less than $3 million | 294·0 fee units | 294·0 fee units | 294·0 fee units |\n|  | (f) if the gross value of the estate is $3 million or more but less than $5 million | 440·0 fee units | 440·0 fee units | 440·0 fee units |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n|  | (g) if the gross value of the estate is $5 million or more but less than $7 million | 735·0 fee units | 735·0 fee units | 735·0 fee units |\n|  | (h) if the gross value of the estate is $7 million or more | 1029·0 fee units | 1029·0 fee units | 1029·0 fee units |\n| 4.2A | On filing an amended originating motion under Chapter III | 3·0 fee units | 3·0 fee units | 3·0 fee units |\n| 4.3 | On filing a caveat in the Probate jurisdiction | 20·5 fee units | 20·5 fee units | 20·5 fee units |\n| 4.4 | On filing a notice of appointment of the Incorporated Nominal Defendant as Administrator ad litem under section 158 of the **Transport Accident Act 1986** | 1·8 fee units | 1·8 fee units | 1·8 fee    units |\n| 4.5 | For preparation by the Registrar of Probates or Assistant Registrar of Probates of an application in relation to a small estate | 16·5 fee units | 16·5 fee units | 16·5 fee units |\n| 4.6 | For authenticating an order amending parchment | 1·3 fee units | 1·3 fee units | 1·3 fee units |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n| 4.7 | Certificate of Registrar of Probates verifying copy document where not done in the usual course of an application for a grant of representation | 1·3 fee units | 1·3 fee units | 1·3 fee    units |\n| 4.8 | Every exemplification where not done in the usual course of an application for a grant of representation | 1·8 fee units | 1·8 fee units | 1·8 fee    units |\n| * * * * * | | | | |\n\n\nPart 5—Fees payable in the Costs Court\n\nThe fees in this Part apply to any proceeding in the Costs Court.\n\n| *Column 1*   <br>*Item No.* | *Column 2*   <br>*Item* | *Column 3*<br>*Corporate fee* | *Column 4*<br>*Standard fee* | *Column 5*<br>*Concession fee* |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 5.1 | Commencement of a proceeding in the Costs Court under Rule 63.38 of Chapter I (other than matters referred to in items 5.2 and 5.3)— |  |  |  |\n|  | (a) if the costs claimed are less than $50 000 | 27·1 fee units | 13·6 fee units | 6·8 fee    units |\n|  | (b) if the costs claimed are $50 000 or more but less than $150 000 | 36·9 fee units | 18·4 fee units | 9·2 fee    units |\n|  | (c) if the costs claimed are $150 000 or    more | 44·0 fee units | 22·0 fee units | 11·0 fee units |\n| 5.2 | Commencement of a proceeding under Rule 63.64 of Chapter I by a client or other person liable to pay the costs— |  |  |  |\n|  | (a) if the bill of costs is less than $50 000 | 46·4 fee units | 23·2 fee units | 11·6 fee units |\n|  | (b) if the bill of costs is $50 000 or more but less than $150 000 | 58·0 fee units | 29·0 fee units | 14·5 fee units |\n|  | (c) if the bill of costs is $150 000 or more | 69·5 fee units | 34·8 fee units | 17·4 fee units |\n| 5.3 | Commencement of a proceeding by a lawyer or law practice under legal profession legislation for assessment of costs payable to the lawyer or law practice | 92·7 fee units | 92·7 fee units | 92·7 fee units |\n| 5.4 | Commencement of an interlocutory application other than one referred to in item 5.5 | 41·3 fee units | 20·7 fee units | 10·3 fee units |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n| 5.5 | Commencement of an interlocutory application by a lawyer or law practice within a proceeding under legal profession legislation | 77·7 fee units | 77·7 fee units | 77·7 fee units |\n| 5.6 | For every sitting of a Judge, an Associate Judge, a judicial registrar, costs registrar or a court official at a mediation other than a sitting referred to in item 5.7—per day or part of a day | 41·3 fee units | 20·7 fee units | 10·3 fee units |\n| 5.7 | For every sitting of a Judge, an Associate Judge, a judicial registrar, costs registrar or a court official at a mediation, in a proceeding commenced by a lawyer or law practice under legal profession legislation—per day or part of a day | 41·3 fee units | 41·3 fee units | 41·3 fee units |\n| 5.8 | For hearing, or assessment under Part 8 of Order 63 of Chapter I, of a matter other than in a matter referred to in item 5.9—per day or part of a day | 41·3 fee units | 20·7 fee units | 10·3 fee units |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n| 5.9 | For hearing, or assessment under Part 8 of Order 63 of Chapter I, of hearing a matter commenced by a lawyer or law practice under legal profession legislation—per day or part of a day | 77·7 fee units | 77·7 fee units | 77·7 fee units |\n| 5.10 | For commencement of a review or reconsideration other than a review or reconsideration referred to in item 5.11 | 41·3 fee units | 20·7 fee units | 10·3 fee units |\n| 5.11 | For commencement of a review or a reconsideration by a lawyer or law practice in a proceeding commenced by a lawyer or law practice under legal profession legislation | 77·7 fee units | 77·7 fee units | 77·7 fee units |\n\n\nSch. 1 Pt 6 amended by S.R. Nos 53/2020 reg. 9, 124/2024 reg. 9.\n\nPart 6—Fees applicable to all offices of the Court and miscellaneous fees\n\n| *Column 1*   <br>*Item No.* | *Column 2*   <br>*Item* | *Column 3*<br>*Corporate fee* | *Column 4*<br>*Standard fee* | *Column 5*<br>*Concession fee* |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 6.1 | In addition to any other fee payable under these Regulations, if an office of the Court is opened to provide a service referred to in these Regulations— |  |  |  |\n|  | (a) within half an hour before the opening time (9.30 a.m.) or within half an hour after the closing time (4.00 p.m.); | 5·4 fee units | 2·7 fee units | 1·3 fee units |\n\n|  | (b) at any other time other than ordinary opening hours | 108·0 fee units | 54·0 fee units | 20·7 fee units |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 6.2 | Issuing a subpoena | 7·9 fee units | 4·0 fee units | 2·0 fee units |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n\n| *Column 1*   <br>*Item No.* | *Column 2*   <br>*Item* | *Column 3*<br>*Corporate fee* | *Column 4*<br>*Standard fee* | *Column 5*<br>*Concession fee* |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n\n| 6.3 | For searching a database, inspecting a register, retrieving a document or accessing any material filed, lodged or produced to or held by the Court (excluding the Application and Wills Indices, and access to electronic copies of notices of intention, grants of probate and administration posted or made electronically), for each request | 4·9 fee units | 2·4 fee units | 1·2 fee units |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 6.4 | If the search, inspection, retrieval or accessing referred to in item 6.3 involves the retrieval of files held offsite, an additional fee per file of | 2·2 fee units | 1·1 fee units | 1 fee    unit |\n| 6.5 | For photocopying or printing any document | 60 cents per page | 60 cents per page | 60 cents    per page |\n| 6.6 | For filing an application for examination of a debtor (Rule 67.02 of Chapter I) | 4·9 fee units | 2·4 fee units | 1·2 fee units |\n| 6.7 | For 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|  |  |  |  |  |\n\n| *Column 1*   <br>*Item No.* | *Column 2*   <br>*Item* | *Column 3*<br>*Corporate fee* | *Column 4*<br>*Standard fee* | *Column 5*<br>*Concession fee* |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 6.8 | For filing—<br> (a) an application for registration of an interstate judgment or registration of a judgment under the Trans-Tasman Proceedings Act 2010 of the Commonwealth; or<br> (b) a certificate under section 86(4) of the **County Court Act 1958**; or<br> (c) a certificate under section 112(2) of the **Magistrates' Court Act 1989** | <br>      <br>    4·9 fee units | <br>      <br>    2·4 fee units | <br>      <br>    1·2 fee units |\n| 6.9 | Issue of a warrant of apprehension of disobedience of summons | 17·7 fee units | 8·9 fee units | 4·4 fee units |\n| 6.10 | Issue of a warrant of possession, a warrant of seizure and sale or a warrant of delivery | 9·3 fee units | 4·7 fee units | 2·3 fee units |\n| 6.11 | Nomination of a registered liquidator by the Prothonotary under Chapter V | 5·4 fee units | 2·7 fee units | 1·3 fee units |\n| 6.12 | Sealing any document or certificate other than—<br> (a) a copy required for service; or |  |  |  |\n|  |  |  |  |  |\n| *Column 1*   <br>*Item No.* | *Column 2*   <br>*Item* | *Column 3*<br>*Corporate fee* | *Column 4*<br>*Standard fee* | *Column 5*<br>*Concession fee* |\n|  | (b) a judgment, order or warrant; or |  |  |  |\n|  | (c) a document under Rule 7.13(1) of Chapter I; or |  |  |  |\n|  | (d) a certificate under Rule 80.16 of Chapter I; or |  |  |  |\n|  | (e) any document or certificate for which a separate fee is fixed by these Regulations or any other Regulations | 4·9 fee units | 2·4 fee units | 1·2 fee units |\n| 6.13 | Attendance before an Associate Judge, a judicial registrar or a court official for the purpose of investigation, inquiry or assessment, including the taking of accounts, for each hour or part of an hour | 17·7 fee units | 8·9 fee units | 4·4 fee    units |\n|  | **ADMISSION TO THE AUSTRALIAN LEGAL PROFESSION** |  |  |  |\n| 6.14 | Admission as an Australian lawyer and officer of the Supreme Court and authentication of order | 14·0 fee units | 14·0 fee units | 14·0 fee units |\n\n| *Column 1*   <br>*Item No.* | *Column 2*   <br>*Item* | *Column 3*<br>*Corporate fee* | *Column 4*<br>*Standard fee* | *Column 5*<br>*Concession fee* |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 6.15 | Certificate sealed by the Prothonotary that a person has been admitted to practise and that the person's name remains on the Roll | 11·1 fee units | 11·1 fee units | 11·1 fee units |\n| 6.16 | Duplicate authenticated order of admission | 9·1 fee units | 9·1 fee units | 9·1 fee units |\n|  | **APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC NOTARIES** |  |  |  |\n| 6.17 | Application for admission as a public notary | 50·1 fee units | 50·1 fee units | 50·1 fee units |\n| 6.18 | Authentication of an order of appointment as a public notary | 40·8 fee units | 40·8 fee units | 40·8 fee units |\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 Supreme Court (Fees) Regulations 2018, S.R. No. 135/2018 were made on 18 September 2018 by the Governor in Council under section 129 of the **Supreme Court Act 1986**, No. 110/1986 and came into operation on  \n30 September 2018: regulation 3.\n\nThe Supreme Court (Fees) Regulations 2018 will sunset 10 years after the day of making on 18 September 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 Supreme Court (Fees) Regulations 2018 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and Acts.\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\nSupreme Court (Fees) Amendment Regulations 2020, S.R. No. 53/2020\n\n| *Date of Making:* | 23.6.20 |\n| --- | --- |\n| *Date of Commencement:* | 1.7.20: reg. 3 |\n\n\nSupreme Court (Fees) Amendment Regulations 2024, S.R. No. 124/2024\n\n| *Date of Making:* | 6.11.24 |\n| --- | --- |\n| *Date of Commencement:* | 18.11.24: reg. 3 |\n\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n3 Explanatory details\n\n1. Reg. 4: S.R. No. 114/2017. [↑](#endnote-ref-1)\n\n2. Reg. 5 def. of ***Chapter I***: S.R. No. 103/2015. Reprint No. 2 as at 2 January 2018. Reprinted to S.R. No. 127/2017. Subsequently amended by S.R. Nos 32/2018, 33/2018 and 58/2018. [↑](#endnote-ref-2)\n\n3. Reg. 5 def. of ***Chapter II***: S.R. No. 57/2018. [↑](#endnote-ref-3)\n\n4. Reg. 5 def. of ***Chapter III***: S.R. No. 125/2023 as amended by  \nS.R. No. 79/2024. [↑](#endnote-ref-4)\n\n5. Reg. 5 def. of ***Chapter IV***: S.R. No. 102/2015. [↑](#endnote-ref-5)\n\n6. Reg. 5 def. of ***Chapter V***: S.R. No. 32/2023 as amended by  \nS.R. No. 95/2023. [↑](#endnote-ref-6)\n\n7. Reg. 5 def. of ***Chapter VI***: S.R. No. 126/2017 as amended by S.R. Nos 32/2018 and 33/2018.\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**. 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 2024 is $16.33. 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-7)","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains focused on its original purpose of prescribing Supreme Court fees. While it has been amended to update references to new court rules (e.g., 2023 Administration and Probate Rules, 2023 Corporations Rules) and add specific exemptions (news media, small estates), these are evolutionary updates rather than scope expansion. The core structure and purpose remain unchanged since 2018."},"complexity_factors":["Three-tier fee structure (corporate/standard/concession) with different rates across 50+ fee items","Extensive cross-referencing to 6 different sets of Supreme Court Rules (Chapters I-VI) and multiple Acts","Conditional logic for fee applicability: multiple exceptions to fee exemptions (regulation 6(2)), nested conditions for when fees are payable (regulation 10), and complex refund rules (regulation 15)","18 defined terms in the interpretation section, including complex definitions like 'standard fee payer' which itself contains 4 alternative criteria","Differential pricing across 5 court divisions (Court of Appeal, Common Law Division, Commercial Court, Probate Office, Costs Court) with 6 separate fee tables","Escalating fee structures for multi-day hearings (e.g., Commercial Court trials have 5 different daily rates depending on which day of the trial)","Multiple amendment layers visible in the text (2020 and 2024 amendments) creating version complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThese Regulations set out the fees you must pay to use the Supreme Court of Victoria. They cover everything from starting a court case (filing fees) to daily hearing fees, mediation costs, and even photocopying charges.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **Anyone using the Supreme Court** — individuals, businesses, not-for-profits, and government bodies\n- **Three different fee tiers apply:**\n  - **Corporate fee payers** (businesses and large organisations) — pay the highest fees\n  - **Standard fee payers** (individuals, small businesses under $200k turnover, not-for-profits, and estate executors) — pay reduced fees\n  - **Concession fee payers** (people with a current health care card) — pay the lowest fees\n\n**Key things to know:**\n\n- **Many cases are free** — criminal proceedings, appeals from the Children's Court, contempt of court applications, and certain human rights matters attract no fees\n- **Fees vary dramatically by court division** — the Commercial Court is the most expensive (up to 467.9 fee units per day for long trials), while probate fees depend on estate value (from $0 for estates under $250,000 to over $1,000 fee units for estates over $7 million)\n- **Timing matters** — setting down fees must be paid 6 weeks before trial, hearing fees 5 days before, and refunds are generally not available if hearings don't proceed\n- **Fee waivers available** — if you have a pro bono lawyer, legal aid, are under 18, or are in prison\n- **News media exemption** — journalists searching court records for reporting purposes don't pay search fees\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nCourt fees can run into tens of thousands of dollars for complex commercial litigation. These rules determine whether you can afford to pursue justice, defend yourself, or access court records. The tiered system attempts to balance cost recovery from wealthy litigants against access to justice for individuals and small organisations."},"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":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument's core function—prescribing Supreme Court fees—remains, but the Regulations have been amended to alter definitions, add targeted exemptions, and change particular fee items since initial making. Notable scope changes in the supplied text include: insertion of a news-media exemption for items 6.3 and 6.4 (Reg 14A, inserted by S.R. No. 53/2020 reg. 7), amendments to Chapter definitions and introduction of the \"small estate\" definition (Reg 5 as amended by S.R. No. 124/2024 reg. 5), and a refund rule for certain probate applications (Reg 15(8A), S.R. No. 124/2024 reg. 7(1)). The Table of Amendments (Endnotes) records statutory rule amendments (S.R. No. 53/2020; S.R. No. 124/2024). These changes adjust who may be charged or exempted for specific items and add procedural/administrative detail without altering the Regulations' principal objective (Reg 1)."},"complexity_factors":["Large, detailed fee schedule divided across multiple court divisions and dozens of itemised entries (Schedule 1 Parts 1–6).","Three payer categories (corporate, standard, concession) with different rates for most items (Reg 5 definitions; Reg 7(2)-(4); Schedule 1 columns 3–5).","Multiple timing rules and advance-payment obligations for different fee types (Regs 10–13).","Numerous exceptions, non-refundable rules and conditional refund rights (Reg 6; Reg 14(2); Reg 15(6)–(9)).","Cross-references to other court rules and external Acts and concepts (Reg 5 definitions; Reg 6 exclusions; explanatory endnotes).","Administrative proof and status-establishment requirements with reinstatement power (Reg 16(2)–(4)).","Discretionary powers in several places (Court can order otherwise: Reg 8(3); Prothonotary refund/reinstate powers: Reg 15(9), Reg 16(4)).","Fee-unit mechanism linking regulatory units to an annually-set dollar value (Endnotes, 'Fee Units').","Targeted targeted exemptions and recent insertions (news media exemption Reg 14A) that add conditional carve-outs.","Different fee treatments depending on procedural posture (e.g. judge-managed lists v. excluded proceedings — items 3.1–3.2; Reg 3.6)."],"plain_english_summary":"What these Regulations do (mechanics first)\n\n- These Regulations set the fees the Supreme Court charges for court services and proceedings and say who must pay them and when (Reg 1; Reg 7(1)). The fees are listed in Schedule 1 and are expressed in fee units; the actual dollar amount is the number of fee units multiplied by the value of a fee unit (Endnotes, \"Fee Units\").\n\nWho is affected and how the mechanics allocate cost\n\n- Fee categories. The Regulations divide payers into three categories: corporate fee payers, standard fee payers and concession fee payers (Reg 5, definitions; Reg 7(2)-(4)). For most listed items Schedule 1 gives a different fee for each category (Schedule 1 columns 3–5).\n\n- Who pays. Generally the party, person or entity at whose request a document is filed or a service rendered must pay the fee (Reg 8(1)). Specific rules allocate responsibility for particular fees:\n  - Setting down fees are payable by the party seeking the hearing (Reg 11(1)).\n  - Hearing fees are payable by the party seeking the hearing or by the party that made the interlocutory application (Reg 12(1)).\n  - Mediation fees are payable by the party that commenced the proceeding (Reg 13(1)).\n  - If multiple parties request a single filing/service, a single fee is payable and the highest-applicable category among them governs (Reg 9 and examples).\n  - Where the Court acts of its own motion, the party that commenced the proceeding pays unless the Court orders otherwise (Reg 8(3)).\n\n- When fees must be paid. The Regulations set time rules for different fees: most fees are payable on filing or when the relevant service is rendered (Reg 10(1)); setting down, hearing and mediation fees have specific advance-payment deadlines (Regs 11–13). Some fees are tied to particular events such as referral by the Registrar of Probates or entry into a Commercial Court list (Reg 10(2)-(3)).\n\nScope limits, exemptions and items not charged\n\n- Some types of proceedings are stated to have no fee under these Regulations (for example, many criminal matters, sentencing, certain Orders listed and matters under Chapter VI) (Reg 6(1)). However, four specific Schedule 1 items (6.1, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5) can still be payable in those proceedings (Reg 6(2)).\n\n- Waivers and exemptions. The Regulations provide automatic waiver categories for people represented under specified pro bono schemes, legal aid recipients, persons in detention and those under 18 (Reg 14(1)). Fees payable under items 6.1, 6.3, 6.4 or 6.5 are not waived except under section 129(3) of the Supreme Court Act 1986 (Reg 14(2)). A targeted exemption waives fees in items 6.3 and 6.4 for news media organisations or their representatives when the request is for reporting the news (Reg 14A).\n\n- Refunds are permitted where a fee was not payable, where an excess was paid by mistake, or in other specified circumstances (Reg 15(1)-(5), (8A)). The Prothonotary or a deputy may also refund a fee for exceptional reasons (Reg 15(9)). Some fees are explicitly non‑refundable (for example, setting down fees if the matter does not proceed; hearing/first-day fees if the hearing does not proceed; mediation fees if the mediation does not proceed) (Reg 15(6)-(8)).\n\nVerification and administrative processes\n\n- Fee status proofs. A person claiming standard or concession status, or a waiver/refund, must provide evidence when requested by the Prothonotary or deputy prothonotary (Reg 16(2)). If satisfied, the Prothonotary fixes the correct fee or waives/refunds as appropriate (Reg 16(3)). If someone paid a lower fee incorrectly, the Prothonotary can reinstate the correct fee and require payment of the difference (Reg 16(4)).\n\nDiscretion and decision-makers\n\n- The Regulations give authority to the Court to vary who pays in particular circumstances (Reg 8(3)). The Prothonotary or deputy Prothonotary has discretion to refund fees for exceptional reasons (Reg 15(9)) and to reinstate/call for outstanding amounts where status was incorrectly claimed (Reg 16(4)). Waiver under some items requires exercise of the Supreme Court Act power (Reg 14(2) — cross-reference to s129(3) of the Supreme Court Act 1986).\n\nKey incentives, costs and practical trade-offs (mechanisms, not judgements)\n\n- Differential pricing: Corporate fee payers generally face higher fees than standard or concession payers (Reg 7(2)-(4); Schedule 1). That creates a direct price signal: where a single fee covers multiple parties, the presence of any corporate party triggers the corporate rate (Reg 9). The mechanism concentrates higher payments on corporate entities (Schedule 1 columns 3–5).\n\n- Forum and list incentives: higher commencement and hearing fees apply in some court lists (for example, judge-managed Commercial Court list commencement at item 3.1 is higher than the excluded or non-judge-managed item 3.2), and moving a matter into or out of lists can change fee exposure (Schedule 1 Part 3 items 3.1–3.3; Reg 15(3)-(4) on refunds where matter is removed or transferred). The concrete mechanism is a fee differential tied to list status (Reg 3.1 v 3.2; Reg 3.6 on entry fee).\n\n- Timing and sunk-cost effects: several fees (setting down, first day hearing, mediation) are payable in advance and in some circumstances are non‑refundable if the event does not proceed (Regs 11–13; Reg 15(6)-(8)). The mechanical effect is to create advance payment obligations and potential sunk costs.\n\n- Administrative compliance burden: claimants seeking reduced fees, waivers or refunds must supply evidence on request to the Prothonotary (Reg 16(2)), and deadlines for payment are tight for some hearings and mediations (Regs 12(3), 13(2)). The Prothonotary may later reinstate fees if status was wrongly claimed (Reg 16(4)), creating an enforcement mechanism.\n\n- Discretion points and checks: the Court or court officials can require payment prior to filing or rendering services (Reg 10(1)(b)), the Court can order who pays when it departs from default rules (Reg 8(3)), and the Prothonotary has refund and reinstatement powers (Reg 15(9); Reg 16(4)). These are the principal administrative levers in the Regulations.\n\nOperational detail that practitioners and service users will need\n\n- The full fee list and the differing rates by payer category are in Schedule 1 (multiple Parts covering Court of Appeal, Common Law/Trial, Commercial Court, Registrar of Probates, Costs Court, and miscellaneous items).\n\n- Fee units are converted to dollars under the Monetary Units Act 2004; the document states the fee unit value for the year commencing 1 July 2024 is $16.33 and that amounts may be rounded to the nearest 10 cents (Endnotes, \"Fee Units\").\n\nOfficial stated purpose and how that maps to costs and incentives\n\n- The Regulations state their objective is to prescribe the fees payable in respect of matters in the Supreme Court (Reg 1). That objective is implemented by (a) creating a detailed fee schedule (Schedule 1), (b) dividing payers into categories with different rates (Reg 5; Reg 7), (c) specifying when and by whom fees are payable (Regs 8–13), and (d) creating rules for waivers, exemptions and refunds (Regs 14–16). The implementation choices that map from objective to practice create effects on who pays, when they pay, the administrative proof required to obtain reduced fees, and where discretion to refund or re-impose fees lies (see Regs 8, 14, 14A, 15, 16)."},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the limited content available, there is no indication that the scope of this regulation changed from its original intent. It appears to be a standard fee-setting instrument that consolidates and updates court filing and service fees, consistent with its stated purpose as made in 2018."},"complexity_factors":["The document as provided contains almost no substantive legislative content — only version history and metadata — making meaningful analysis very limited","Fee regulations are generally straightforward in structure: they list services and corresponding dollar amounts","No complex legal tests, definitions, or multi-step processes are evident from the available text","Periodic updates to fee amounts can require cross-referencing multiple versions, adding minor complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"## Supreme Court (Fees) Regulations 2018\n\nThis is a set of regulations that sets out the **fees charged by the Supreme Court** in Victoria (or the relevant Australian jurisdiction) for various court services and processes.\n\n**Who does this affect?**\n- Anyone who needs to file documents, commence legal proceedings, or use Supreme Court services\n- Lawyers and law firms who regularly interact with the Supreme Court\n- Businesses or individuals involved in high-value civil disputes\n\n**What does it do?**\nIt establishes a schedule of fees that people must pay when using the Supreme Court — for example, filing a lawsuit, lodging an appeal, or requesting copies of court documents. These fees help fund the administration of the court system.\n\n**Why does it matter?**\nIf you need to take someone to the Supreme Court (or defend yourself there), you will be required to pay these fees upfront. The cost can be significant and affects whether legal action is practically accessible to ordinary people.\n\n**Note:** The source document provided contains very limited substantive content — primarily version history and administrative metadata — so a detailed breakdown of specific fee amounts and categories cannot be provided from the text available."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/supreme-court-fees-regulations-2018","history":"/api/acts/supreme-court-fees-regulations-2018/history","analysis":"/api/acts/supreme-court-fees-regulations-2018/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/supreme-court-fees-regulations-2018/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/supreme-court-fees-regulations-2018/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/supreme-court-fees-regulations-2018/documents"}}