Youth Court Decisions How to Use Full list of key titles CYPFA section Date

Police v JSF (31 March 1995) YC, North Shore, McElrea DCJ

Name: Police v JSF
Unreported
File number:
Date: 31 March 1995
Court: Youth Court
Location: North Shore
Judge: McElrea DCJ
CYPFA:
Charge:
Key Title: Youth Advocate’s Costs

Summary: Application to review a decision of the Registrar of the North Shore District Court concerning a Bill of Costs submitted by a Youth Advocate. Youth Advocate charged for 36 minutes but length of time in Court was 10 minutes; Judge found that this was reasonable given the Youth Advocate had spent time explaining the Court process to JF outside the Courtroom. To allow only 10 minutes would not allow the young person to be "properly advised and represented and would tend to down-grade the importance of the role of the advocate and the importance of young people being properly advised". Judge did not agree that where less than 6 minutes was spent on a matter it could be charged at the minimum rate of one unit. The six minute units were a matter of convenience. However, as the reading of the short letter in this instance, that had been charged at one unit, had also included a telephone conversation and supplying the letter to the Court, the Judge thought that one unit was reasonable.

Decision: Youth Advocate’s costs to be paid in full. Judge advised that Youth Advocate should keep more detailed records.