Counsel’s fees
My usual fees as counsel or mediator are $5,000 inc GST per day/$500 inc GST per hour. Please contact my clerk Foley’s List on 03 9225 7777 to discuss my availability as counsel and as mediator.
Mediation fees
Supreme and County Court proceedings
My full day (7 hours) fee is $5000 inc GST inclusive of up to 3 hours reading, preparation and administration time, and $500 inc GST per hour thereafter.
Supreme Court proceedings include Commercial Court and Common Law Division, including Employment and Industrial List, Trusts Equity & Probate List, Commercial and Retail Leases List.
County Court Family Property List proceedings: $2,200 inc GST full day for low value estates (asset pool less than $500,000 net of secured debts).
County Court Commercial Division proceedings $4,400 inc GST.
Magistrates’ Court LEM mediations
Full day $2,200 inc GST and half day (4 hours) $1,540 inc GST if appointed by the Magistrates’ Court or if advised by the parties the appointment is pursuant to the LEM protocols.
Leasing mediations – pre-litigation
I am a current Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) Mediation Panel member (until December 2024) and VCAT Mediation Panel (until September 2025) mediator. I have mediated well over over 160 Retail Leasing Act and Commercial Lease disputes since 2020.
I am now also offering privately arranged mediation of pre-litigation leasing and small business disputes including disputes requiring a VSBC certificate prior to issuing of VCAT proceedings. My fees from 2023 start at $825 inc GST per party for a half day online mediation usually within 1-2 weeks of appointment.
Franchising, Oil & Horticulture Code mediations
I offer privately arranged mediation of Franchising, Oil Code and Horticulture Code disputes pre-litigation at my usual rates of $5,000 inc GST and $500 inc GST per hour.
From 1 September 2023 to 29 February 2024 if chosen by the parties to a franchising, oil or horticulture code dispute dispute that has been referred to the Australian Small Business & Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), my fees are capped at ASBFEO approved rates which range between $1,650 inc GST and $4,000 inc GST depending on complexity of the case.