Legal Practice Fees

Charges for consultation, advice, editing legal documents and defense are fixed in agreeement with the client.

The charges are the legitimate payment for services provided , the importance of the affair and the charges implicated by it.

This is to say that the service contract must take into account the material and human aid made available to the client ( secretary, photocopying, faxing, documentation and premises).

The lawyer has the right to ask for the financial provisions necessary from first opening the file and during work on it. The end amount can only be determined once the case has reached an end.

In the case that an agreement in not made between the lawyer and his client, charges are fixed by the law following these criteria : the usages, clients’ financial situation, the difficulty of the case, charges implicated, the lawyers reputation and the timeframe.

And legalises the contract which, other than payment for work carried out and planned, there may be the addition of a supplementary fee in relation to the result obtained and the service provided.

The consultation is charged on the basis of a minimum cost of 100E ( excluding tax) per half hour.

If the consultation leads to research
(documentation, fax, etc.) or writing letters and deeds the billing will take into account such matters.

In case of legal proceedings and according to the type and the complexity of the case, the hourly rate is based on the drafting of acts being between 150 E ( ex. tax) and 280 E ( ex.tax). ( The rate of VAT currently applicable is 19,6%).

The services at the « Palais de justice » ( conferences, preparation etc.) are billed according to time spent, based on an hourly rate of 150E (ex. tax)

The defense courtroom, which is specific, can be subject to a flat-rate billing.

The expenses necessary to the procedure as well as the travelling expenses and aadministration
(correspondance, photocopies, documents, any documents and communication charges if necessary) are subject to charges.

Bills are preferable paid by cheque, the practice being registered with a chartered accountant.

DOCUMENT ETABLI CONFORMEMENT A LA LEGISLATION EN VIGUEUR