Areas of Accredited Specialisation & Key Dates
Costs Law
Introduced in 2010, the assessment program will examine the candidates’ knowledge in the area of Costs Law, with a written examination, take home assignment and simulated hearing.
Topics of Assessment
Practitioner Client Costs
- the retainer
- Cost agreement and disclosure statements
- compliance with the Legal Profession Act 2004 (Vic) and Legal Practice Act 1996 (Vic)
- who can seek to have costs assessed and when
- rights of and duties owed to third parties (both associated and nonassociated)
- the jurisdiction of VCAT
- the jurisdiction of the Legal Services Commissioner in relation to cost disputes
General
- interpretation of cost orders
- different bases of cost taxation
- understanding of and application of the Commonwealth and Victorian court scales and rules (including VCAT)
- Drawing a bill of costs
- right to amend the Bill
- challenges to a bill of costs
- the procedures involved in a taxation/assessment of costs
- review or appeal of a taxation
- costs of a taxation
- assessment of counsel's fees
- offers of compromise and other offers of settlement and their cost consequences
- costing non-litigious work including mortgages and leases
- costing work in Wills and Estates
- charges of a solicitor-trustee
- party party costs in WorkCover matters
- party party costs in Transport Accident matters
- Agency costs
- Preparation of expert reports
- Powers of the taxing officer
- Security for costs
- Gross sum cost applications
Assessment tasks
- Written Examination
- Take home assignment
- Simulated Court Hearing
Application: The next assessment program is being held in 2013
For the record
- First assessment program in Costs Law: 2010
- Number of accredited practitioners: 11
Contact
For further information or to receive updates on assessment programs contact:
Accredited Specialisation
Ph: (03) 9607 9460