Conduct money and witnesses
The Family Law Rules 2004 provide for the payment of conduct money and witness fees in Family Court cases. This is money paid by a party to a witness, before the witness appears at a Family Court event to cover travel costs, and if necessary reasonable accommodation expenses. The details are provided in Schedule 4 of the Family Law Rules.
Under the Federal Magistrate Rules 2001, a witness in the Federal Magistrates Court is entitled to be compensated for attendance at a hearing if the attendance is reasonably required and the amount is reasonable or is authorised or approved by the Court (Rules 21.12 and 21.13). This is the responsibility of the person or lawyer who has called the witness to give evidence. There is also a minimum amount set for conduct money for a person subpoenaed for return travel between the place of residence or employment and the court : see Rule 15.17