OUR FEE STRUCTURE

Our fees are based on an hourly charge-out rate, depending on the seniority of the professional engaged in the transaction, their specialised expertise, the complexities of the instruction and the urgency associated therewith.

Where circumstances permit, and in instances where we’re instructed on a specific project, fees are negotiable and often can be agreed for the particular project.

Certain of our clients, after having utilised our services for a period of time, prefer to use us as a resource on a retainer-type basis. This entails a monthly retainer fee being paid for a bouquet of services that are then provided on a monthly basis and which, by agreement, we set out in a service/outsourcing agreement.

Both clients and legal service providers need billing structures that recognise the importance of managing costs, rewarding results and ensuring that the most appropriate level of legal adviser is allocated to work on each matter. Building a trusting relationship that includes, where appropriate, flexible non-hourly billing arrangements, is fundamental to our approach.

Billing

Billing must be transparent and allow meaningful assessment of the quality of service delivered. We adopt the following techniques to assist in this process:

  • Confirmation of each instruction with the charging method and estimates of our fees.
  • Regular reporting on all current matters with current work in progress and estimates going forward.
  • Monthly billing with details on each bill of the fee-earners involved and the time each has spent on your work.
  • Achieving predictable legal spend
  • As a key principle, we believe that we have a responsibility to help you manage your legal budget. Our approach to the setting of fees and billing is determined by the following key points:
  • Whatever we agree with you we know that we have to deliver the best level of service that meets your business requirements and the parameters of your budget.
  • We understand that you work within budgets and we must assist you to manage your legal costs.
  • Our obligation is to be completely open and transparent about notifying and detailing costs incurred and forewarning you about costs to be incurred.
  • We will ensure that the work is undertaken by the person most appropriate for the task, taking account of the level of qualification, complexity of the work and cost.
  • We’re innovative in responding to your cost imperatives.

General points on our charging policies

  • Counsel’s fees and other specialist advice fees will not be incurred without your prior agreement.
  • There are no hidden “mark–ups”. We itemise time and rates on our bills to ensure clarity.
  • Disbursements are billed the month after they are incurred.

We do not build the cost of our additional services into our hourly rates. Charging separately for specific services you have said you require means that you do not pay for services you are not using.