Magistrates Court fees

Our fees and charges increase on 1 July each year. On 1 July 2023 our fees and charges were increased by 3.4% in line with Government’s indexation policy.

From 1 July 2022 fees are stated in fee regulations as fee units and not in dollars.

As at 1 July 2023, the value of a fee unit for court fees is $1.060 (see s2 of the Acts Interpretation (Fee Unit) Regulation 2022 and s48B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1954). Please note the rounding rules that apply under s48C of the Acts Interpretation Act 1954.

You can contact us to find out details about specific fees, charges or prices.

Below is a list of fees in the Magistrates Court for criminal and civil proceedings under the:

  • Uniform Civil Procedure (Fees) Regulation 2019
  • Criminal Practice (Fees and Allowances) Regulation 2021
  • Justices Regulation 2014

Magistrates Court fees in a criminal proceeding

See the Justices Regulation 2014 for details of the fee units and rounding rules.

* $4.20 Appeal Costs Fund Fee included

Task Fee ($)

Filing a complaint and summons under s. 54(2) of the Justices Act 1886

111.70*

Filing a copy of a summons to a witness issued under s. 78 or 83 of the Act.

21.35

Filing a copy of the written evidence on oath relied on to obtain a warrant under s. 81 of the Act.

21.35

Inspection of a record for a matter under the Act heard and decided:

 

Up to four years ago—for each record

17.15

More than four years ago—for each record

29.65

Supply of a copy of a record of a decision under s. 154 of the Act, including an order or a record of conviction

17.15

Supply of a copy of a record for a matter, under s. 154 of the Act, to which the Recording of Evidence Act 1962 doesn’t apply, other than a copy of a record mentioned above:

 

First copy—each page

3.15 per page

Maximum fee for first copy

81.35

Additional copy—each page

0.70 per page

Maximum fee for additional copy

32.45

See the Criminal Practice (Fees and Allowances) Regulation 2021 for details of the fee units and rounding rules.

Task Fee ($)

Filing an application to the Magistrates Court under rule 56A(1):

121.30

Opening or keeping the registry open between 4.30pm and 8.30am, or on a Saturday, Sunday or court holiday for the purpose of making an application or copying an exhibit under rule 56A

199.90

Magistrates Court fees in a civil proceeding

See the Uniform Civil Procedure (Fees) Regulation 2019 for details of the fee units and rounding rules.

Also see our online tool to find fees for serving or executing civil documents in the Magistrates Court.

* $4.20 Appeal Costs Fund Fee included

Task Fee ($)

Originating process—filing a claim

Filing a claim $2500 or less

197.50*

Filing a claim $2500 to $10,000

273.30*

Filing a claim $10,000 to $50,000

293.40*

Filing a claim $50,000 to $100,000:

 

If the plaintiff is an individual or all plaintiffs are individuals

376.20*

Otherwise

590.70*

Filing a claim $100,000 or more:

 

If the plaintiff is an individual or all plaintiffs are individuals

445.50*

Otherwise

737.20*

Registering a judgment or order other than a state court or tribunal

less than $10,000

121.30

$10,000 or more

130.60

Filing documents

To start proceedings other than a claim (including originating applications)

125.50*

Employment claims mentioned in the Magistrates Courts Act 1921, s. 42B

69.60*

Copies and inspection records in a proceeding

Inspecting records within four years of filing claim (not payable by parties)

17.15

Inspecting records more than four years from filing of claim (including parties)

29.65

First copy — for each page (other than a record under the Recording of Evidence Act 1962)

3.15 per page

Maximum fee for first copy (other than a record under the Recording of Evidence Act 1962)

81.35

Additional copy - for each page (other than a record under the Recording of Evidence Act 1962)

0.70

Maximum fee for additional copy (other than a record under the Recording of Evidence Act 1962)

32.45

Certifying a copy of an order or a copy of another document (other than a record under the Recording of Evidence Act 1962)

31.70

Opening registry

 

Opening or keeping the registry open between 8am and 8.30am, or between 4.30pm and 6pm on a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or court holiday

199.90

Assessment of costs

 

Making an appointment for directions or for assessment of a costs statement by an assessing registrar

57.15

Assessing by an assessing registrar of a costs statement under the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999, rule 708, wholly or partly—for each hour or part of an hour

126.70

Assessment by an assessing registrar of a costs statement other than under the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 1999, rule 708, for each $100 or part of $100 allowed

15.85

For an order for the amount assessed

78.65

Service, enforcement or apprehension

Service or attempted service of a claim, application, subpoena, process or other document within 12km of the registry—on each person served

56.60

Enforcement, or attempted enforcement, of a warrant within 12km of the registry—for each bailiff

82.55

Travelling fees per km or part-km one way in excess of 12km from the registry. See the Regulation for details

4.20 per km

Time spent after the first hour on enforcement, or attempted enforcement, or apprehension or attempted apprehension per hour or part-hour. See the Regulation for details

26.80

Taking a person to prison or place of detention from the place of arrest—for each km

4.20 per km

Additional fee for payment into court

If the bailiff collects and pays into court 50–85% of a money order debt due under a warrant

26.80

If the bailiff collects and pays into court at least 85% of a money order debt due under a warrant

53.70

Custody and possession of property

Each bailiff left in possession of property—for each day, not more than. See the Regulation for details

118.70

Miscellaneous

Drawing an advertisement of sale, if the sale is under an enforcement warrant for the seizure and sale of property

106.10

  • Travelling expenses for each person
  • Clerical assistance at sales
  • Advertising
  • The cost of feeding livestock, or removing it   to another place
  • Necessary assistance to, or expenses incurred   by, the bailiff in enforcing a warrant, e.g. hiring transport, warehouses and   yard, postage and telephone calls

At the discretion of the registrar