High Court Rules (Amendment) (Cth)

Statutory Rules 1983 No. 2631

Rules Under The Judiciary Act 1903 As Amended

We, Justices of the High Court of Australia, hereby make the following Rules of Court under the Judiciary Act 1903 As Amended.

Dated this 25th day of October, 1983.

H. T. GIBBS
A. F. MASON
L. K. MURPHY
RON WILSON
(L.S.)	F. G. BRENNAN
WILLIAM DEANE
DARYL DAWSON

Justices of the High Court

of Australia

FRANK JONES

Registrar

AMENDMENT OF THE HIGH COURT RULES2

1. (1) These Rules shall come into operation on 8 November 1983.

(2) Notwithstanding sub-rule (1), the Schedule omitted from the High Court Rules by rule 2 shall continue to apply in relation to all work done and services performed before 8 November 1983.

2. The High Court Rules are amended by omitting the Second Schedule and substituting the following Schedule: —

HIGH COURT COSTS

COSTS

SECOND SCHEDULE

Writs	$
1. Originating process.............................................................................................................................................	39.00
If more than six folios, for every extra folio.............................................................................................................................................	3.70
2. Endorsement of claim (if special).............................................................................................................................................	14.40
If more than six folios, for every extra folio.............................................................................................................................................	4.00
3. Concurrent writ of summons.............................................................................................................................................	14.00
4. Writ of subpoena duces tecum.............................................................................................................................................	20.30
5. Writ of subpoena ad testificandum.............................................................................................................................................	20.30
6. Writ of fieri facias or of possession.............................................................................................................................................	33.70
7. Other writ to enforce a judgment or order.............................................................................................................................................	30.00
8. Any other writ not specified above
Such amount as the taxing officer thinks reasonable
9. If any of the above writs (except writs of summons) exceeds six folios, for each extra folio......................................................................................................................................	2.90
These costs include all endorsements, and copies of praecipes for the officers sealing them, and attendances to issue or seal, but not the Court fees.
Summonses
10. Summonses to attend at Justices' Chamber	24.00
or
If special, at taxing officer’s discretion, not exceeding.............................................................................................................................................	28.10
11. Attending to issue, including attendance to have date of return fixed...................................................................................................................................	16.00
An allowance shall not be made for praecipes unless special and exceeding six folios.
Notices
12. Notice to produce (including copy to serve).............................................................................................................................................	14.00
If not more than six folios, for each extra folio.............................................................................................................................................	2.90
13. Notice to admit (including copy to serve).............................................................................................................................................	28.10
If more than six folios, for each extra folio.............................................................................................................................................	3.70
Items
14. Any necessary or proper notice or memorandum not otherwise provided for or any demand.............................................................................................................................................	13.10
This provision does not apply to short notices or memoranda endorsed on other documents but the words or folios therein may be allowed as part of the document so endorsed.
The allowance in this item includes preparation of notice and one copy for service.
Services
15. Personal service of any process or proceeding where necessary.............................................................................................................................................	23.40
If served at a distance of more than 5 kilometres from the nearest place of business, or office of the solicitor serving the same, according to the time occupied and fares paid.
16. When, in consequence of the distance of the party to be served, it is proper to effect service through an agent, for correspondence...................................................................................................................................	20.80
In addition, correspondent’s charges...................................................................................................................................	39.40
or
The amount actually and reasonably charged by and paid to the person serving.
17. When more than one attendance is necessary to effect service, or to ground an application for substituted service, such further allowances may be made as the taxing officer thinks fit.

 

SECOND SCHEDULE continued

$
18. For service out of the jurisdiction, such allowance is to be made as the taxing officer thinks fit.
19. The amount to be allowed as fees properly paid for service of a writ, or any other document which requires personal service, shall be as follows:
(a) If served by the nearest Marshal’s officer, the amount properly paid to the Marshal or to the officer in accordance with the scale of fees in force for the time being.
(b) If served by any other person, the amount (not exceeding the amount payable under paragraph (a)) actually paid to that person consisting of
(i) the fee paid for swearing the affidavit of service;
(ii) reasonable and necessary expenses of travelling and sustenance; and
(iii) a fee of $8.40 with an additional $8.40 for each day necessarily occupied after the first day.
(c) Where more than one attendance is necessary but can be made on the same day, an additional allowance shall not be made; or
(d) If served by an officer of a court in a State or Territory, the same amount as would be payable to that officer in respect of the service of process issued out of the court of which he is an officer.
20. Where service by post is authorized...........................................................................................................................................	7.90
2 1. Where service is at the office of a solicitor on the record or at the address for service of a party.................................................................................................................................	9.40
When any two or more documents have to be, or may be, served together, one fee only for such service may be allowed.
Appearances
22. Preparing and entering an appearance, including duplicate memorandum...........................................................................................................................................	30.10
23. If entered at one lime, for more than one person, for every defendant beyond the first	3.70
24. Notice of appearance, for service...........................................................................................................................................	9.40
Instructions
25. To sue or defend...........................................................................................................................................	84.20
26. To appeal, cross-appeal or oppose appeal...........................................................................................................................................	84.20
27. For statement of claim...........................................................................................................................................	84.20
28. For special case...........................................................................................................................................	84.20
29. For defence, or plea or demurrer...........................................................................................................................................	84.20
30. For counterclaim or defence to counterclaim...........................................................................................................................................	84.20
31. For reply, with or without joinder of issue...........................................................................................................................................	37.40
32. For confession of defence...........................................................................................................................................	36.00
33. For special petition, or any other pleading (not being a summons)...........................................................................................................................................	65.50
34. To amend a pleading, where necessitated by another party’s amendment of its pleadings, or by ascertainment of additional facts..................................................................................................................................	22.60
35. For an agreed statement of facts in a mailer...........................................................................................................................................	65.50
36. For interrogatories or answers to interrogatories...........................................................................................................................................	50.40
37. For special affidavits...........................................................................................................................................	50.40
38. For documents to be brought into the Registry such as accounts, etc...........................................................................................................................................	14.40
39. For or in opposition to a motion to be made (a) in Court or (b) an application in Chambers.................................................................................................................................	37.40
40. To add parties by order of the Court of a Justice...........................................................................................................................................	14.00
41. For counsel to advise on evidence...........................................................................................................................................	36.00
42. For bond or any other deed...........................................................................................................................................	14.00
43. For brief on application in Chambers...........................................................................................................................................	46.80
44. For brief, such fee may be allowed as the taxing officer thinks fit having regard to all the circumstances of the case.
45. An allowance in the nature of instructions for brief may be allowed to a solicitor when he conducts the cause or matter himself.
46. Instructions are not to be allowed in cases where the work intended to be included therein is charged for or allowed in detail.
Instead of the charges for instructions, such larger sums may be allowed as the taxing officer may think reasonable having regard to all the circumstances.

SECOND SCHEDULE continued

Drawing Pleadings and Other Documents	$
47. Pleadings, including petitions (but not including particulars of summonses) not exceeding nine folios................................................................................................................	37.40
or
Such amount as the taxing officer thinks reasonable.
48. Briefs, including necessary and proper observations........................................................	18.70
or
per folio......................................................................................................................	3.70
49. Brief to hear reserved judgment, including copy (not allowed in Chamber applications)....	11.30
50. Notices of appeal and notices of motion..........................................................................	37.40
or
Per folio.......................................................................................................................	3.70
51. Affidavit of service of any writ or other proceedings when required.................................	10.80
52. Marking each exhibit to an affidavit...............................................................................	1.00
53. Any other necessary document, per folio........................................................................	5.20
Copies
54. Of documents and briefs not prepared by means of roneograph, photo copying, or other duplication process where no other provision is made, per folio...................................	1.90
55. Carbon copies, per folio.................................................................................................	1.00
56. When a document is printed and, in the opinion of the taxing officer, it would not have been reasonably safe or convenient to send the original to the printer, the solicitor of the party printing may be allowed, for a copy for the printer, per folio........................................	1.00
57. For completing and filling in printed forms, except as otherwise provided, such allowance as the taxing officer thinks reasonable.
58. Copies made by ‘Xerox’ or like process, per page...........................................................	1.00
Perusals
59. Of pleadings, including petitions, amendment of pleadings, originating summonses and motions, interrogatories answers to interrogatories, special affidavits, particulars and objections, notices produce or admit...........................................................................	14.00
or
Per folio.......................................................................................................................	1.90
60. All other documents, including deeds, correspondence, exhibits, affidavits, counsel’s opinion or advice, per folio........................................................................................	1.90
Attendances
61. To obtain consent of next friend or of a guardian ad litem................................................	10.80
62. To inspect documents....................................................................................................	28.10
or
Per hour........................................................................................................................	56.20
63. To produce documents for inspection.............................................................................	14.00
or
Per hour.......................................................................................................................	28.10
64. To examine admissions, including signing......................................................................	20.60
or
Per folio.......................................................................................................................	3.70
65. To obtain or give any necessary or proper consent or undertaking....................................	14.00
66. To obtain an appointment to examine witness.................................................................	10.80
67. On examination of witnesses before an officer of the Court or other person with counsel, per hour.........................................................................................................................	46.80
On examination of witnesses before an officer of the Court or other person without counsel, such allowance as the taxing officer thinks reasonable.
68. On hearing of an application in chambers without counsel such allowance as the taxing officer thinks reasonable.
69. If the examination is more than 5 kilometres from a place of business of the solicitor, such additional allowance may be made as the taxing officer thinks reasonable.
70. On deponent being sworn..............................................................................................	14.00
71. On hearing of a summons in Chambers...........................................................................	21.10
or
per hour......................................................................................................................	37.40

SECOND SCHEDULE continued

$
72. On counsel with brief or other papers and to pay his fees..........................................................................................................................................	14.00
73. On counsel to mark refresher or to appoint conference or consultation..........................................................................................................................................	6.60
or
If appointment made by telephone..........................................................................................................................................	6.60
74. On consultation or conference with counsel..........................................................................................................................................	37.40
or
Per hour..........................................................................................................................................	56.20
75. Preparation of appeal and application books including collating all necessary material, attendances on the printer, examining and general oversight of their preparation in cases where the Registrar is satisfied it has been done with substantial efficiency	44.60
or
Per hour..........................................................................................................................................	60.80
76. Examining the proof print, per folio..........................................................................................................................................	1.00
(not allowable where print taken from authorized reporting service)
77. To enter or set down cause, special case or appeal for trial or hearing..........................................................................................................................................	9.40
78. In court on hearing of motion, originating summons, special case, petition, appeal or matter or issue of fact
If the solicitor attends, per hour..........................................................................................................................................

90.00
or
Not to exceed per day..........................................................................................................................................	450.00
or
If a managing clerk attends in place of the solicitor, per hour..........................................................................................................................................	37.40
or
Not to exceed per day..........................................................................................................................................	187.90
If any other clerk attends in place of the solicitor, per hour................................................................................................................................	18.70
79 When in the opinion of the taxing officer it is necessary for two solicitors, or for the solicitor and managing clerk, to attend the hearing or the trial of a cause or matter, an additional allowance may be made per hour of................................................................................................................................	37.40
80. When in the opinion of the taxing officer it is necessary for a clerk other than a managing clerk to attend the hearing or the trial of a cause or matter with the solicitor or a managing clerk where witnesses are examined or cross-examined, an additional allowance may be made per hour of................................................................................................................................	18.70
81. Where the taxing officer is satisfied that a solicitor carries on business in a place other than in which the Court is sitting and that it is necessary for him to leave that place to attend in Court at the hearing or the trial of a cause or matter, an allowance (in addition to reasonable travelling expenses) may be made for each day (other than Saturdays and Sundays) that he is necessarily absent of such amount as the taxing officer thinks reasonable, not exceeding................................................................................................................................	420.00
or
If a clerk attends, in place of the solicitor, a similar daily allowance (in addition to reasonable travelling expenses) may be made, not exceeding................................................................................................................................	112.30
The taxing officer must be satisfied that the purpose of the journey could not have been satisfactorily accomplished by an agent.
82. To certify a document or record..........................................................................................................................................	14.00
83. To hear reserved judgment..........................................................................................................................................	24.40
84. On taxing of bill of costs..........................................................................................................................................
(a) if the solicitor attends, per hour..........................................................................................................................................	56.20
(b) if a clerk attends, per hour..........................................................................................................................................	14.00
85. To obtain signature of the Registrar, to an order made in Chambers or to obtain signature to and sealing of an older made by the Court................................................................................................................................	14.00
86. To file, lodge or deliver a document or other papers, to obtain an appointment from an officer of the Court, to insert advertisements or other attendance of a similar nature capable of performance by a junior clerk................................................................................................................................	14.00
87. At Registry, in connexion with the payment of money into or out of Court..........................................................................................................................................	14.00
88. To search whether an appearance has been entered or a document has been filed..........................................................................................................................................	14.00
89. To bespeak and for copy of jury panel, or any other document necessarily ordered from an officer of the Court................................................................................................................................	10.80
90. Before the Registrar to settle minutes of judgment or order or the like
(a) if the solicitor attends, per hour..........................................................................................................................................	46.80
(b) if a clerk attends, per hour..........................................................................................................................................	14.00

SECOND SCHEDULE continued.

$
91. Any other attendance of the solicitor or a managing clerk involving the exercise of skill or legal knowledge, per hour
Solicitor...........................................................................................................................................	90.00
Managing Clerk...........................................................................................................................................	37.40
92. At attendance for which no other provision is made...........................................................................................................................................	18.70
or
Such amount as the taxing officer thinks reasonable.
93. Telephone attendance...........................................................................................................................................	6.60
Letters
94. An ordinary letter (including letters between principal and agent)...........................................................................................................................................	11.30
95. Special letters...........................................................................................................................................	18.70
or
Such allowance as the taxing officer thinks reasonable.
96. Circular letters after the first...........................................................................................................................................	3.70
or
Such allowance as the taxing officer thinks reasonable.
An allowance may also be made, if the circumstances warrant it, for the necessary expense of postage, carriage and transmission of documents.
97 Letters making an appointment, forwarding cheque or documents without comment or to like effect....................................................................................................................................	6.60
Views
98 Inspection of view, such fees shall be allowed as the taxing officer considers necessary, including all fees paid for travelling and sustenance.
Maps, Plans. Photographs and Models
99 The taxing officer may allow such fees For maps, plans, photographs and models for use at the trial as he considers reasonable.
Witnesses’ Expenses
100. Witnesses called because of their professional, scientific or other special skill or knowledge..................................................................................................................................	64.80 to 324.00
Witnesses generally...............................................................................................................	36.00
Or, if remunerated in their occupations by wages, salary or fees, the amount lost by the witness by the attendance of the witness, not exceeding $60 per day of attendance.
Witnesses attending in more than one action or matter will be entitled to a proportionate part only of their expenses in each action or matter.
A witness shall be deemed to be a country witness if he does not reside within 40 kilometres of the court house where the cause or matter is tried or heard.
In addition to the above allowances, country witnesses may be allowed such sum as the taxing officer thinks reasonable to provide for actual expenses of conveyance to and from the place of trial or hearing and a reasonable amount for maintenance or sustenance.
The taxing officer may also allow such amount as he thinks reasonably and properly incurred and paid to witnesses for qualifying to give skilled evidence.
Notwithstanding anything in the scale, the taxing officer may allow to an expert witness a special Fee for any attendance at Court not covered by the foregoing paragraphs of this item when the witness is acting as an expert in assisting counsel or a solicitor for a period during the trial or hearing. The scale in this item does not effect the existing practice of allowing qualifying fees to witnesses.
Disbursements
101. All court fees, counsel’s fees and other fees and payments to the extent to which they have been properly and reasonably incurred and paid shall be allowed.
The remuneration allowed to a solicitor shall be governed by the foregoing scale but in special cases the taxing officer may in his discretion allow such additional charges or disbursements as he considers reasonable.

NOTES

1. Notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 7 November 1983.

2. Statutory Rules 1952 No. 23 as amended to date. For previous amendments see Statutory Rules 1983 No. 257 and see also