This book is only available in PDF format
Published: 10 July, 2012
Pages: 53

Introduction

From 23 July 2012 most new family legal aid cases will be managed within the fixed fee framework.

You will need to know how these changes affect you, especially the process for claiming payment for a fixed fee case.

The webinar will be a practical guide to Fixed Fee and Fixed Fee Plus cases. The focus is to introduce the new invoice forms and provide detailed guidance on how to complete them correctly. The presenters will also introduce the new fixed fee schedules and talk you through the requirements for invoicing in accordance with them, in particular:

• invoicing time frames for Fixed Fee and Fixed Fee Plus cases
• disbursements – what is included in the fixed fee and what can be claimed separately
• fees payable when a case is reassigned to a new lawyer.

The presenters will then explain the criteria for a Fixed Fee Plus case, including how to use the new amendment and invoice forms and the requirement for estimates for certain activities.

You can find further information regarding family fixed fees and other legal aid policies on the Ministry of Justice website: www.justice.govt.nz. It is recommended that you read the following documents prior to the webinar:

• new fees framework for family legal aid providers (April 2012) – for a summary of the submissions received about the new framework and the Ministry’s responses and final decisions (http://www.justice.govt.nz/publications/global-publications/l/legal-aid-fixed-fees-for-family-and-civil-acc-legal-aid)
• the family fixed fee schedules – for the finalised version of the schedules (http://www.justice.govt.nz/services/information-for-legal-professionals/information-for-legal-aid-providers/proceeding-steps/proceeding-steps)
• provider grants manual – for further information regarding existing legal aid policies (http://www.justice.govt.nz/services/information-for-legal-professionals/information-for-legal-aid-providers/legal-aid-provider-manuals/grants-manual).

The webinar will conclude with an opportunity for you to ask any questions about the operation of the new framework.

If you have any further questions about family fixed fees prior to or following the webinar, please email [email protected].