Legal Aid NSW: Fee increases for Commonwealth family and civil law matters

22/08/2024

The hourly rate for private lawyers in Commonwealth family and civil law matters has increased. From 1 July 2024, the hourly rate in Commonwealth family and civil law matters increased from $150 to $165 per hour, and counsel and solicitor fees not based on the hourly rate were increased by 10 percent.

The Legal Aid NSW Board approved the changes to the fee scales after the Commonwealth Government provided additional indexation for legal assistance providers. Legal Aid NSW elected to apply this additional funding to increase the fees paid to private lawyers.

Legal Aid NSW acknowledges that the fees in Commonwealth family law and civil matters are still significantly lower than fees in state matters and will continue to advocate strenuously for additional funding for fees.

See the Legal Aid NSW policy bulletin for more information.