More about legal costs
Note the following about the legal costs that can and can’t be reimbursed.
Witness expenses
The ACB requires details of the nature of the evidence given, and the capacity in which the witness appeared.
Solicitor and counsel fees
In assessing solicitor and counsel costs – including preparation, appearances and disbursements – the ACB is guided by the circumstances of the particular case.
Payments
There is no limit to the amount payable under some of the most commonly used sections of the AC Act (ss 10, 14, 15, 16). However, note that costs are subject to the ACB’s discretion in determining what costs are reasonably incurred. For example, the ACB can consider issues such as whether the seniority and number of counsel engaged were appropriate for the proceeding. Caps apply to sections 4, 5, 6 and 17 of the AC Act. For the caps relevant to section 17, see Victorian Government Gazette G39 27 September 2007 2217.