Why have I received a statement of fees and how do I pay?

Once a family law matter is set down for trial/defended hearing the following fees become payable and you will receive a statement via email or post:

  • Setting down fee: Payable 28 days prior to the hearing. The setting down fee remains payable even if the proceedings do not go ahead and there is no refund if the hearing does not proceed.
  • Daily Hearing fee: Payable if your matter is set down for hearing for more than 1 day. The fee applies for each subsequent day after the first day. It is payable at least two working days prior to the first hearing day and may be refundable if the matter does not go ahead and the Court is notified. If the parties attend to hand up terms of settlement a refund can still be requested.

You can pay the fees with your debit or credit card online using Family Law Fees eServices by entering the Payment Identification number (PID) on your statement.

Fees are set by government regulations, see Family Law (Fees) Regulations 2022.

NOTE: You may be eligible for an exemption of fees, see Guidelines for exemption of court fees (Family Law).

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