Amount and payment of fees
Legal advice
Pleadings and contracts
Court cases
Negotiations
Applications to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg
AMOUNT AND PAYMENT OF FEES
The amount of fees is fixed on a case-by-case basis in negotiations with the client.
Fee systems
Two main fee systems are used:
- Lump-sum fee system
A lump-sum fee is fixed in advance.
This system is used when the scope of services and the time needed to complete them can be estimated.
- Hourly rate system
The fee depends on the time needed to complete the assignment.
This system is mainly used when regular legal services are provided to a customer and when it is not possible to determine the range of services in advance.
Payment of fees
Fees are generally payable in advance, but we may accept payment in instalments.
Other principles
As a rule we do not accept assignments on the so-called success fee basis. Neither do we work on a percentage basis, where no fees are charged up front but a percentage of the profit is payable if a case is won.
LEGAL ADVICE
The fee for standard legal advice is usually fixed in advance as a lump sum depending on the degree of complexity of the legal problem. Current information on fees for legal advice can be obtained by phone +48 22 499 33 22 or +48 609 409 864 or by email. Fees are quoted ex VAT (the current applicable rate is 23%).
If a client retains us to represent them in court, legal advice is provided free of charge.
PLEADINGS AND CONTRACTS
The fee for drafting a standard pleading (e.g. a complaint or an appeal) is usually fixed in advance as a lump sum. Its amount depends on the complexity of the case and on urgency. If an analysis of the court records of the case is necessary to draft the pleading, an additional fee is charged for activities outside of our office.
The fee for preparing or analysing a contract is determined on a case-by-case basis and mainly depends on how detailed the agreement is and what the deadline is.
Current information on fees for drafting a pleading or a contract can be obtained by phone +48 22 499 33 22 or +48 609 409 864 or by email. Fees are quoted ex VAT (the current applicable rate is 23%).
COURT CASES
We usually charge lump-sum fees for representing clients in court. The amount of such fees is negotiated with the client but some guidance may be found in the Ordinance of the Minister of Justice of 28 September 2002 on advocates' fees and the covering by the State Treasury of the costs of legal assistance provided by court-appointed counsel (Dz.U.02.163.1348).
For example, in an "ordinary" suit for payment, fees are set on a scale depending on the value in dispute. According to the above mentioned Ordinance, the minimum fees are as follows (depending on the value in dispute):
- up to PLN 500 - PLN 90
- more than PLN 500 but no more than PLN 1.500 - PLN 270
- more than PLN 1.500 but no more than PLN 5.000 - PLN 900
- more than PLN 5.000 but no more than PLN 10.000 - PLN 1.800
- more than PLN 10.000 but no more than PLN 50.000 - PLN 3.600
- more than PLN 50.000 but no more than PLN 200.000 - PLN 5.400
- more than PLN 200.000 but no more than PLN 2.000.000 - PLN 10.800
- more than PLN 2.000.000 but no more than PLN 5.000.000 - PLN 15.000
- more than PLN 5.000.000 - PLN 25.000
The fees are quoted ex VAT (the present applicable rate is 23%). Here is the full text of
the OrdinanceApart from the value in dispute, the fee also depends on the degree of complexity of the case and its duration.
NEGOTIATIONS
The fee for assistance during negotiations, in signing agreements, etc., is usually fixed on an hourly rate basis. Current information on the hourly rates can be obtained by phone +48 22 499 33 22 or +48 609 409 864 or by email. Fees are quoted ex VAT (the current applicable rate is 23%).
APPLICATIONS TO THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN STRASBOURG
The cost of preparing an application to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg is fixed on a case by case basis. To make an appointment, please phone us on (48 22) 499 33 22 or 0 609 409 864 or enquire by email.