How we engage with barristers & counsel- our point of difference!

We are not passive as lawyers and do not simply out-source our litigation client work to barristers, as is typical some aspects of the legal profession.

However, we do use barristers in Australia and internationally for our clients when required.

We partner with our barrister colleagues to ensure that strategies, research, resources are maximised, but cost efficiencies maintained.

Our firm will engage barristers when required in litigation or appearance work. For minor appearances and directions, typically we appear ourselves or use agents to minimise costs.

Our senior partners will devise and continuously evolve your litigation and dispute resolution strategy, using barristers as specialists in the key aspects of the litigation to ensure that the process is not only cost effective for our clients but to maintain accountability and responsibility, directly to the client

As a very basic guide, barristers may charge the following amounts (excluding GST and in $ AUD)

Queens Counsel- Senior Counsel: 	$1,000 per hour
Senior Barrister:			$600 per hour
Junior Barrister: 			$250-500 per hour

For daily court fees a barrister will charge the hourly fee for 5 to 8 hours. For example,

Queens Counsel- Senior Counsel :	$8,000 per day
Senior Barrister:		        $5000 per day
Junior Barrister: 		        $3,000 per day

NOTES: For some types of matters like legal aid, motor vehicle accident insurance and workers compensation there are rates which proscribed by statute or in the case of legal aid by the agency procuring the work such as legal aid New South Wales.

In relation to appearances by counsel, there are often systems of suggested fees which are given by the courts as a guide to what solicitors should charge in relation to their work. An example of this is the system of fees given by the Federal Court as below.

Fee on brief

Junior Counsel       $1200-4,800
Senior Counsel       $1,950-7,200

Appearance at hearing (daily rate including conference)

Junior Counsel       $850-3,950
Senior Counsel       $1,950-6,000

Motion/Interlocutory hearing – short (up to 2 hours)
Junior Counsel       $350-2,000
Senior Counsel       $650-3,900

– long (2 hrs plus)
Junior Counsel       $400-3,000
Senior Counsel       $800-6,000

Hourly rate for: directions hearing, preparation time, conferences (not occurring on day of hearing), settling applications, statements of claim, affidavits, defence, other documents, opinions, advice on evidence, written submissions (where not allowed above), attending to receive judgment (where appropriate), not otherwise provided for:

Junior Counsel        $250-500
Senior Counsel        $400-700