How much does court filing cost in the Victorian County Court?
Victorian County Court filing fees for 2025-26 under the County Court (Fees) Regulations 2018 include: writ (corporation) $1,456; writ (individual) $728; defence $728; summons $491; setting down $3,420 (corporation). These are scaled annually. Individual fees are typically 50% of corporate fees. Fee waiver is available under regulation 10 on financial hardship grounds.
Common County Court filing fees
Writ (corporation): around $1,456. Writ (individual): around $728. Notice of appearance: nil. Defence (corporation): $1,456. Defence (individual): $728. Summons: $491. Application by summons: $491-$915. Subpoena: $75. Setting down for trial (corporation): $3,420. These figures follow the County Court (Fees) Regulations 2018 and scale annually in July.
Civil Procedure Act 2010 (VIC) proportionality
The overarching purpose under section 7 of the Civil Procedure Act 2010 (VIC) is to facilitate the just, efficient, timely and cost-effective resolution of disputes. Courts consider this when setting directions and costs. Parties should not run up disproportionate filing fees on small-value matters — the Magistrates' Court is cheaper for claims under $100,000.
Fee waiver and concessions
Regulation 10 of the County Court (Fees) Regulations 2018 allows the court registrar to waive or defer fees on financial hardship grounds. Applicants must provide evidence of income, assets, and expenses. Legal Aid Victoria clients are usually exempt. Corporations cannot obtain waiver except in narrow circumstances.
How I support Victorian litigation
I draft writs, defences, and interlocutory applications in current County Court Rules format, research Victorian authority for pleading purposes, and produce chronologies. Victorian boutiques use me to run County Court matters at Magistrates Court pricing, which is a commercial advantage.
Common issues
- Setting-down fees are substantial — budget for this before entering directions hearing stage
- The County Court has a $100,000-$10m general jurisdiction — most commercial disputes sit here
- Fees apply per party, so multi-party writs compound quickly
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