In all cases of compulsory reference in which the fees claimed by the referee exceed $50, the fees shall not be allowed until a hearing is had on the fees, upon 10 days’ notice to the district attorney of the county, accompanied by a copy of the bill.
814.131.Taxing costs on compulsory references.
Ch. 814: Court Costs, Fees, and Surcharges · Last amended 1997 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceSection 814.131 requires a hearing before a referee’s fees on a compulsory reference can be allowed whenever the fees claimed exceed fifty dollars, and it requires ten days’ notice of that hearing to the county’s district attorney along with a copy of the bill.
Full Text of Section 814.131
Plain-English Summary
Section 814.131 adds a check on referee fees in compulsory reference cases once the amount claimed passes a set threshold. If the fees claimed by the referee exceed fifty dollars, they cannot be allowed on the strength of the bill alone — a hearing on the fees has to be held first.
That hearing requires notice to the public purse. The referee, or whoever is seeking the fees, must give the district attorney of the county ten days’ notice of the hearing, and the notice has to be accompanied by a copy of the bill itself. This gives the county’s legal officer a real opportunity to review and, if warranted, contest the claimed fees before they are approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a referee’s fee claim require a hearing before it can be paid?
Whenever the fees claimed on a compulsory reference exceed fifty dollars. Section 814.131 requires a hearing on the fees in that situation before they may be allowed.
Who has to be notified before a hearing on a referee’s fees over fifty dollars?
Section 814.131 requires ten days’ notice to the district attorney of the county, given along with a copy of the bill of fees.
Do referee fees under fifty dollars require this hearing process?
The section’s hearing and notice requirement is triggered specifically when the fees claimed exceed fifty dollars; it does not by its terms apply to lesser amounts.
What must accompany the notice of the hearing on a referee’s fees?
A copy of the bill of fees, according to section 814.131, so the district attorney can review the specific charges being claimed.
Why does the district attorney get notice of a hearing on a referee’s fee bill?
Compulsory reference cases can involve fees ultimately drawn from public funds, and section 814.131 gives the county’s district attorney notice and an opportunity to be heard before fees above fifty dollars are approved.
Amendment History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 761 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 814.131; 1997 a. 254.
Source & verification. Section text and official notes are
reproduced verbatim from the Wisconsin Statutes, published by the
Wisconsin Legislature (Legislative Reference Bureau). Last verified July 15, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: wisconsin referee fees over fifty dollarsdistrict attorney notice referee fees814.131 compulsory reference hearingtaxing costs on compulsory references wisconsin