Optimizing Working With Barristers & Counsel
Barristers & Litigation - Fees and Charges
The use of barristers and the work they do goes to the heart of the relationship between the barrister, the solicitor and the client.
How We Work With Barristers & Counsel
Some lawyers are passive and do not wish to appear in court or outsource all of this strategy to the barrister or legal counsel.
We are not passive but ensure we work with the barrister and will change the barrister if we feel it is not in the best interests of the client.
We will also always appear in court for clients unless we feel the matter is complex and or if it is a final hearing.
As your solicitors, our duty is to you the client. Whilst we have the highest regard and respect for barristers and indeed prefer to have them involved when possible, we will review their suggestions and work with you. Most of our senior lawyers have also been clients and understand what it’s like to be in the clients shoes.
In any litigation it is critical to understand how this relationship will be handled and optimised to produce the best outcomes in dispute resolution.
In our experience, clients would litigation matters that do not have in-house General Counsel, may not be aware of the choices that are made between the solicitor and the barrister in the conduct of matters for clients.
Meet Our Litigation & Disputes Senior Lawyers
Jaswinder (Jas) Sekhon
Jaswinder strives to simplify and demystify complex legal
matters, to explain them logically and without “jargon”.
He resolves and commits to the best possible commercial
outcomes for his clients.
2022 Rates For Barristers
As a very basic guide, barristers may charge the following amounts (excluding GST and in $ AUD)
| Barristers | Charges |
|---|---|
| Queens Counsel- Senior Counsel | $1,000 per hour |
| Senior Barrister | $600 per hour |
| Junior Barrister | $250-500 per hour |
| Reader | $150 to$ 200 per hour |
For daily court fees a barrister will charge the hourly fee for 5 to 8 hours. For example,
| Barristers | Charges |
|---|---|
| Queens Counsel- Senior Counsel: | $8 to $10,000 per Day |
| Experienced Barrister: | $5 to 6,000 per Day |
| Junior Barrister: | $3 to $4,000 per Day |
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.
Oral Advice on a Brief
| Barristers | Charges |
|---|---|
| Queens Counsel- Senior Counsel: | $3,00 to $5,000 |
| Junior Barrister: | $1,500 to $2,500 |
Our Advice On A Brief
Allow an extra three hours to a full day depending on the length of the brief.
Daily Rate For Hearings
| Barristers | Charges |
|---|---|
| Junior Counsel: | $850-$3,950 |
| Senior Counsel: | $1,950-$6,000 |
General Hourly Rates
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:
| Barristers | Charges |
|---|---|
| Queens Counsel- Senior Counsel: | $800 to $1,100 |
| Junior Barrister: | $300 to $450 |
| Reader: | $200 to $300 |
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