Failed to appear - three month rule

Payment rules

Effective from 16 December 2013, the three month rule no longer applies to summary matters. Please refer to definition of a new matter for the payment rule relating to summary matters.

In all other criminal law matters, where the applicant for aid had previously failed to appear or withdrawn instructions and reapplies for aid for the same charges within 3 months of the last appearance in court, a new grant of assistance will not be issued. The practitioner must continue to act for the client under the initial grant of aid, no additional aid will be approved unless additional charges have been added.

Last updated 7 December 2015

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