Policy Bulletin 2024/12 Fee Scales for expert evidence

21 October, 2024

The Legal Aid NSW Board has approved changes to the Fee Scales for certain expert evidence in crime, family and civil law matters.

Background

Legal Aid NSW undertook a review of the fees paid to experts across crime, family and civil law matters. That review identified several changes to increase consistency across the Fee Scales, formalise fees paid in some matters and increase oversight of approvals.

The increases to the fees have been made in line with the many competing demands on the Legal Aid NSW budget.

What has changed?

The main features of the changes are:

Crime
Family
  • Increasing the fee for single expert reports from $6,000 to $7,500.
  • A complete fee scale for expert evidence in Commonwealth family law matters.
  • Family Law Guideline 3.10 (single experts) has been replaced by the Family law expert evidence fee guidelines.
Civil

The changes are set out in the Fee Scales for expert evidence for Crime, Family and Civil Law. See the corresponding guidelines for details on when and under which circumstances certain fees will be paid to experts.

Start date

The changes apply to work done on or after 21 October, 2024.

Contact

For further information, contact the Client Eligibility Unit at: T-CEU@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.