Official Solicitor fees
The Official Solicitor charges the following fees for legal work performed for the Public Trustee. All fees below are exclusive of GST and outlays.
Real property transactions for estates under Administration
Preparing or reviewing a contract
| Work type | House / vacant land | Group title |
|---|---|---|
| Standard sale or purchase | $300 | $355 |
| Standard sale or purchase that includes a swimming pool | $350 | $405 |
Acting for a seller
| Work type | House / vacant land | Home Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Standard conveyance | $545 | $595 |
| Non-standard conveyance
Including negotiating extensions of dates, reductions of the purchase price or other amendments to the contract after the contract date, or work in connection with an alleged or anticipated breach of the contract |
Standard conveyancing fee above + a fee calculated using the hourly rates below | |
| Termination of the contract pursuant to a "condition subsequent" in a straightforward conveyance | Not more than the standard conveyancing fee above | |
Acting for a buyer
| Work type | House / vacant land | Home Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward conveyance | $795 | $875 |
| Non-standard conveyance
Including negotiating extensions of dates, reductions of the purchase price or other amendments to the contract after the contract date, or work in connection with an alleged or anticipated breach of the contract. |
Standard conveyancing fee + a fee calculated using the hourly rates below | |
| Termination of the contract pursuant to a "condition subsequent" in a straightforward conveyance | Not more than the standard conveyancing fee above | |
| Preparation of a Deed of Rescission | A fee calculated using the hourly rates below | |
Acting in relation to a contract for a manufactured home
A fee calculated using the hourly rates below
Acting in relation to a renewal/extension of Lease
| Work type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Straightforward | $550 |
| Non-straightforward
Including extensive drafting of new lease clauses or amendments to the existing lease |
$550 + a fee calculated using the hourly rates below |
All other real property matters
A fee calculated using the hourly rates below
Private Probate Work
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard Probate - preparation and filing for a grant of representation in the Supreme Court of Queensland | $2,090.40 |
| Complex Probate
Including matters where additional enquiries and affidavit material are necessary to address issues of capacity of the testator; the testamentary instrument raises issues that will require an explanation; or additional work is required in relation to the "clearing off' of persons with a right to apply for a Letters of Administration. |
$2,090.40 + an additional fee calculated using the hourly rates below (where the work undertaken exceeds 3.5 hours) |
Exercise of powers under the Public Trustee Act 1978
| Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Granting a sanction under section 59 | Refer to the Public Trustee fees and charges notice (PDF, 217 KB) |
| Signing a memorandum or discharge of mortgage or executing a reconveyance and transfer of land under section 61 or 62 | Refer to the Public Trustee fees and charges notice (PDF, 217 KB) |
| Providing advice in relation to sections 61 or 62 | Fee calculated using the hourly rates below |
All other work
For all other legal work for the Public Trustee, the Official Solicitor will charge a fee calculated using the following hourly rates.
Hourly rates
| Position Description | Level | Standard Hourly Rate | Hourly Rate for special complex matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Solicitor to the Public Trustee | SO | $457.00 | $508.00 |
| Managing Lawyer | PO6 | $414.00 | $468.00 |
| Principal Lawyer | PO5 | $378.00 | $429.00 |
| Senior Lawyer | PO4 | $351.00 | Same as standard hourly rate |
| Lawyer | PO3 | $308.00 | Same as standard hourly rate |
| Junior Lawyer | PO2 | $287.00 | Same as standard hourly rate |
| Qualified Paralegal Officer | QA3 | $227.00 | Same as standard hourly rate |
| Manager Legal Administrative Support Executive Assistant Senior Paralegal Paralegal Executive Secretary |
AO5 to AO3 | $196.00 | Same as standard hourly rate |
| Administrative Officer | AO2 | $186.00 | Same as standard hourly rate |
Notes
- The actual units of time charging is whole 6 minute units. Where the time involved in an attendance is less than an exact multiple of 6 minutes, the actual time recorded is rounded up to the nearest multiple of 6 minute units.
- A "special complex matter" is a matter which, in the reasonable opinion of the Official Solicitor,:
- is complex in nature;
- involves difficult or novel questions;
- requires the exercise of special skill and knowledge;
- involves the examination or preparation of a high number of important documents regardless of length;
- involves a significant amount or value of money or property; or
- must be carried out urgently or requires work to be carried out after the normal business hours of the Official Solicitor.
- The Official Solicitor does not charge for administrative work but does charge for paralegal work undertaken by administrative staff.
- The fees for legal services provided by the Official Solicitor must give a fair and reasonable level of remuneration for the service provided.
- Outlays (such as Court filing fees, Titles Office fees and search fees) are additional and charged at cost