Imagine you're faced with a legal issue, and you find yourself in need of an attorney. Naturally, you're curious about the costs involved. Will you be charged for your initial consultation? What about every email or phone call with your lawyer? Is there room for a success-based fee arrangement? Let's look into the world of legal expenses to provide you with clarity.
At our firm, our legal services are usually priced on an hourly basis. The hourly rate ranges from 2,000 CZK to 4,000 CZK per hour of legal work. The specific rate depends on the complexity of your case and your individual time requirements.
For one-time or initial consultations, payment is typically arranged in advance through a bank transfer or in cash. The amount is agreed upon between you and your lawyer at the beginning of your meeting.
In cases where the legal matter is relatively straightforward and it's possible to determine the scope of legal services in advance (such as reviewing or drafting contracts or preparing legal letters, trademark applications, etc.), a flat-rate fee can be negotiated.
For more complex cases that require ongoing legal representation, we typically prepare an agreement on the provision of legal services, which includes the method of remuneration. An advance payment is often requested, which is then applied toward the final invoice.
Our goal is to work efficiently and minimize unnecessary expenses. However, if your case requires extensive email or telephone communication, we may bill you for this time reasonably. For instance, if you needed three 5-minute phone consultations in a month, we would bill you for a total of 15 minutes of our work at the end of the month.
Unless alternative arrangements are made between you and your attorney, we bill for legal services on a monthly basis. Each invoice includes an overview of the actions performed and the time spent.
In certain situations (typically claims for damages), clients and lawyers may agree upon a success fee. This means that the attorney's compensation depends upon the outcome of the case, often negotiated within a range of 10% to 20% of the negotiated amount.
It's important to note that the remuneration for legal services does not include cash expenses, such as court and administrative fees, notary fees, and expert witness charges.
Additionally, in some cases, the lawyer may be responsible for paying a 21% VAT, which will be added to the total remuneration. It's worth mentioning that our firm is not subject to VAT.
When it comes to legal costs, transparency and open communication are our priorities. We aim to provide you with the legal support you need while ensuring clarity regarding the associated fees. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your specific legal situation, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@expatlaw.cz.
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