Family Court Rules 2021

The registrar conducting an assessment hearing for a disputed itemised costs account must —

determine the amount (if any) to be deducted from each item included in the notice disputing the itemised costs account; and

determine the total amount payable for the costs of the assessment (if any); and

calculate the total amount payable for the costs allowed; and

deduct the total amount (if any) of costs paid or credited; and

calculate the total amount payable for costs.

At the assessment hearing, a party may only raise as an issue a disputed item included in the notice disputing the itemised costs account.

At the end of the assessment hearing, the registrar must —

make a costs assessment order; and

give a copy of the order to each party.

Within 14 days after the costs assessment order is made, a party may ask the registrar to give reasons for the registrar’s decision about a disputed item.

A costs assessment order made under this rule has the force and effect of an order of the court.