CanLaw: About Your Law Society
Where can I file a complaint
against a lawyer?
COMPLAINTS?
Page Current as of
HOW YOUR LAWYERS’ FEES ARE CALCULATED AND BILLED.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.
UNDERSTANDING LAWYER FEES
TYPES OF FEES
These are the usual fee arrangements used in Canada:
- Fixed Fees
- Contingency Fees
- Hourly Rates
- Percentage Fees / Value-Added Fees
- Unbundled legal service
HOURLY RATES
Hourly rates are the most common type of fee. Today a $150 hour is probably the lowest rate you will find. They go up from there . . . $500 an hour is common. Know what your lawyer charges before you run up a bill.
FIXED FEES
Fixed fees are most common for routine work like wills and real estate. Some lawyers also use fixed fees for uncontested divorces and routine criminal cases, like impaired driving, theft, and assault. You pay the amount the lawyer quotes you, regardless of how much time the lawyer spends on the case.
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CONTINGENCY FEES
Contingency fees are most common in personal injury cases.
Many lawyers will only take contingency cases where they are positive the matter will settle before any trial.
PERCENTAGE FEES / VALUE-ADDED FEES
Percentage fees are based on a percentage of a specific asset or transaction, such as when buying or selling a business, collecting a debt, probating a will or executing an estate.
WHAT IS UNBUNDLING OF LEGAL SERVICES
Under a limited scope retainer, also known as an "unbundling" agreement, a lawyer or paralegal provides legal services for part, but not all, of a client's legal matter, by agreement with the client.
Some lawyers will provide a form of coaching and supervise the legal work self represented litigants (SRL) do for themselves. Self represented litigants do so usually because they cannot afford a lawyer. Nearly half of all cases are now being done by self represented litigants.
When you see a lawyer, ask about fees the first time you meet.
Lawyers should be able to tell you how they will calculate the fee and when they will bill you.
They usually can’t give you a firm estimate of the total cost because it depends on many things that are hard to estimate, including the time a case will take.
HOW TO KEEP COSTS DOWN
Lawyers Charge For the Time They Spend 
- Be organized, so you don’t waste time. Before you first meet with the lawyer, make a list of everything you want to say and ask.
- Make a point-form summary of your case in chronological order. Include the important details and names (with addresses, phone numbers, and other helpful information).
- Some lawyers will ask you to fill in a fact sheet before your first interview.
- Ask the lawyer if a junior colleague can do some of the routine work on your case they have lower rates.
- Be reasonable. Try to agree on the minor things that aren't worth fighting about. Save your time and money for the important things.
ANSWERS TO THESE COMMON QUESTIONS AND MORE
- Can a lawyer charge you without telling you?
- What happens if a lawyer overcharges you?
- Can lawyer put Lien my property?
- What are lawyer contingency fees?
- Do contingency fees include expenses?
- How do I dispute an lawyer's bill?
- How is added value calculated?
- How much are lawyers per hour?
- What is a retainer?
- What are the disbursements fees?
- What is a fixed fee agreement?
- What is a fixed fee divorce?
- What does SRL mean in legal terms?
- What is a percentage fee?
- What is an SRL
About the Law Society of Alberta
About the Law Society of Saskatchewan
About the Law Society of Manitoba
About the Law Society of Ontario
About the Law Society of Upper Canada
About the Law Society of Quebec
About the Law Society of New Brunswick
About the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
About the Law Society of Nova Scotia
About the Law Society of Prince Edward Island
About the Law Society of Yukon
