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Overview
This page explains what costs there might be for going to court. You may be able to get help with costs such as travel, accommodation, meals, childcare, or time away from work.
Victim Assistance Scheme
Financial help may be available for some costs linked to going to court.
The Victim Assistance Scheme may be available if you are:
- directly affected by a serious crime, such as a serious assault, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, arson, or a burglary where the offender was disturbed
- directly affected by sexual violence
- directly affected by a case taken by a regulator, such as WorkSafe NZ, Civil Aviation, or Maritime NZ
- family or whānau of someone who has died
- a support person aged 18 or older for the person the crime happened to.
Support can include help with travel and accommodation for a trial, hearing, or sentencing. Depending on the crime type and your situation, it may also include counselling or rongoā support, court attendance allowances, or other help with costs linked to the crime or recovery.
The crime must have happened in New Zealand. Non-residents who were living in or travelling in New Zealand may also be able to apply.
How to apply
Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support administers the Victim Assistance Scheme on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.
To find out if you may be eligible, you can contact Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support on 0800 842 846.
For more information about the Victim Assistance Scheme, visit the Victim Support website.
Witness Expenses
If you are required to attend court as a witness, you may be able to claim witness expenses to help cover some of the costs related to giving evidence.
These expenses may include:
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travel to and from court
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accommodation, where required
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meals or loss of earnings, in certain circumstances.
How to claim
If you think you may be eligible to claim witness expenses, speak with the police officer in charge as early as possible. They can:
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explain what expenses may be claimed
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provide information about the claim process
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assist you with the forms or referrals.
Find more information about witness fees and expenses in Schedule 2 of the Witnesses and Interpreters Fees, Allowances, and Expenses Regulations 2023 | Legislation.govt.nz(external link)
Reparation
At sentencing, the judge may order the offender to pay reparation for loss, damage, or emotional harm caused by the crime.
The judge decides whether to order reparation and how much the offender must pay. The judge can consider the loss or damage, and the offender’s ability to pay. If you suffered a financial loss because of the offending against you it's important to let the police officer in charge of the case know so the prosecutor can consider asking the court for reparation at sentencing. You can also include this information in a victim impact statement, as the judge will consider this when deciding what the sentence will be.
If reparation is ordered, the Ministry of Justice collects payments from the offender and passes them on to you.
You can choose whether or not to receive the payments. You may also be able to get someone else to receive the payments for you.
Find out more about receiving reparation Receiving reparation | Ministry of Justice(external link)