The average gross legal payment has risen for the sixth consecutive year, the Law Society said.
The average payment to the 1,193 legal aid providers was $120,184.33 this year, according to data culled from the
Ministry of Justice. The average in 2016 was $111,371.72. The averages in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 were $85,380.99, $99,358.42, $100,467.92, and $106,385.58, respectively.
Median payment for 2017 was $83,152.80, higher than the $73,528.42 in 2016. Payments totalled $143,379,904.64, up from $134,759,778.10 the previous year.
Six or just 0.5% of the listed providers received gross payments topping $1m. The bulk of providers, at 335, received $100,000 to $199,999 in payments. Next are the 276 providers who received $50,000 to $99,999 in payments.
Payments include fess claimed on behalf of other listed providers, the Law Society said. These payments also include general office costs, travel costs, and fees for agents, expert witnesses, forensic tests, interpreters, and special reports.
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