292Request for itemised bill

292 Request for itemised bill (1) This section applies if a lump sum bill is given by a law practice for legal costs exceeding the threshold amount. (2) Any person who is entitled to apply for an assessment of the legal costs to which the bill relates may ask the law practice for an itemised bill. (3) A request under subsection (2) must be made not later than 90 days after the day the lump sum bill is given to the client. (4) The law practice must comply with the request as soon as practicable. (5) If the person making the request is liable to pay only a part of the legal costs to which the bill relates, the request for an itemised bill may only be made in relation to the costs that the person is liable to pay. (6) A law practice must not start any proceeding to recover legal costs from a person who has been given a lump sum bill until at least 90 days after the day the person is given the bill. (7) However, if the person asks for an itemised bill under this section, the law practice must not start any proceeding to recover the legal costs from the person until at least 30 days after the day the person is given an itemised bill. (8) A law practice is not entitled to charge a person for the preparation of an itemised bill under this section. (9) Section 290 (2) and (5) apply to the giving of an itemised bill under (10) In this section: threshold amount means— (a) $1 500 (exclusive of GST and disbursements); or (b) if a higher amount is prescribed by regulation—the higher amount.