Migration Advice

Just a short note to let you know about myself and my availability as an extra adviser to the services you provide as a migration agent. I point out that I have recently been accorded the status of an accredited specialist in migration law. I have been a barrister since 1980 and since that time I have conducted cases in every Tribunal and Court dealing with migration matters including the High Court, Federal Court, Immigration Review Tribunal (as it was then called), the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, the Refugee Review Tribunal and the Magistrates Court (on criminal matters involving immigration).

As general rule I do not see clients directly but give advice or represent clients usually only via either solicitors or migration agents.  I am available therefore to assist you in the provision of services you provide by giving specialist advice and if necessary appearing for clients. This advice can be given in a number of ways to you – telephone advice, written advice on a particular matter or assisting in the final preparation of an application by either advising what evidence ought to be put to the Department in an application or reviewing the draft application.  

My charge out rate is $462 per hour (including GST).  Unfortunately over the years I have had many requests by solicitors and migration agents to look over a matter to see if it worth taking further and this has taken up considerable time.  I now have to charge for giving phone advice and looking over a matter. Usually this takes from 30 minutes to an hour. Many solicitors and migration agents have found a short phone advice session very useful which costs $253 (incl GST) as a flagfall for up to 20 minutes.  

I am also available to do MRT, RRT and AAT appearances in Sydney and Melbourne. I do not charge for airfares and only charge minimal accommodation if it requires an overnight stay. (I ask that the client or agent picks me up from the airport and takes me back.) For a one day matter the fee is $3,630 (including GST). If conferences or advices are required prior to hearing these are charged at the hourly rate.

Alternatively, if you want to do the submissions, advice on evidence and have a conference with your client as well then my total charge is $6,600.  I am similarly available for Federal Court appearances in Sydney and Melbourne without charging for airfares (Federal Court fees are charged on a different scale).  I will appear in Perth and Adelaide for a negotiated Fee.

As you are all aware, we could all spend a huge amount of our professional time doing work for free for some clients.  As a result I restrict my pro bono work only to selected cases. I can say that one of the advantages of dealing with a barrister is that you retain total control over the management of your client and your file because although barristers are permitted to see clients directly without the intervention of another professional, they very rarely do so. I do not see clients direct.

LORENZO BOCCABELLA

 PS: To avoid embarrassment, I need to point out, that I do absolutely zero socialising with clients, the reason being that clients take a casual remark over a meal as a thoroughly researched considered opinion.