How to apply to the Appeal Costs Board

Applications can be made via an online application tool to the Appeal Costs Board for compensation for legal costs arising from judicial error or other special circumstances for which the litigating party is not responsible, as set out by Appeal Costs Act 1998.

Section 17 applications

You can submit your s17 application online. Please go to the online application tool (External link) and choose s17, available from the drop down options.

All s17 applications must include:

• a copy of the signed certificate or authenticated order of the court
• evidence of the costs that are being claimed, such as fee slips, back sheets, invoices or VLA summaries.

Section 17(5) has been amended under the Appeal Costs and Penalty Interest Rates Act (Amendment) Act 2004 (Vic) to allow the Attorney-General to specify the maximum amount payable by the Appeal Applications Board.

All other section applications

You can submit applications pursuant to all other sections of the Act via the online application tool (External link)  Please select the section relevant to your application from the drop down options. 

Supporting document requirements vary according to the relevant section of the Act. Please follow the prompts on the application page.

Important information

Applications to the Appeal Costs Board are placed before the Board and determined as soon as possible.  Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications online.

Applicants are advised in writing of the Board’s determination.

The Secretary is unable to expedite applications.

Section 35Aof the Appeal Costs Act 1998 requires applications to be submitted within 12 months of the close of proceedings to which the certificate pertains to avoid expiry of the certificate.

All applications must be submitted online via the links above.  The Board does not accept hard copy applications via post, fax or email.

A User Manual which provides you with instructions on how to navigate the online application service is available below.