What Should I Know Before Hiring a Victoria Lawyer?
Before hiring a lawyer in Victoria, you should research the lawyer’s knowledge, skill, and area of expertise. Find out more about law firms in Victoria. Ask your lawyer:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How many cases like mine have you handled before?
- How long have you practiced law?
- In what areas of law do you practice?
- Are you a partner or an associate?
- How much of your time is devoted to my particular problem area?
Next, when trying to find a Victoria lawyer, ask about their time restraints and level of accessibility:
- Do you have time to deal with my problem quickly?
- How quickly can I expect a resolution?
- How often can we meet?
It’s also essential to ask lawyers in Victoria, BC about costs:
- How much do you charge for your services?
- Approximately how much will your services cost me in total?
- Do you provide clients with a detailed statement of fees?
- Do you charge for the first meeting?
Can Victoria Lawyers Advertise?
Law firms in Victoria should not state an amount of money that they recovered for a client or refer to their degree of success in past cases unless the statement is backed up by a further statement. Victoria lawyers should state that past results are not necessarily indicative of future results and that the amount recovered in cases varies from case to case.
Victoria lawyers cannot suggest qualitative superiority to other lawyers, raise expectations unjustifiably, suggest or imply aggressiveness, demean other people, groups, organizations, or institutions, take advantage of vulnerable people, or use testimonials containing emotional appeals.
Victoria lawyers may advertise fees for their services as long as the advertisement is precise and states whether other amounts, such as disbursements or taxes, will be additionally charged. If a Victoria lawyer advertises their fees charged, they must strictly adhere to the advertised fee in every applicable case.
Can a Lawyer be Paid on a Percentage Basis? What is a Contingency Fee?
A contingency fee depends on the outcome of your case. A contingency fee is a contract with a lawyer where the fee paid to the lawyer is a percentage of the amount recovered for your case. Whether a lawyer is paid on a percentage basis or on a contingency fee varies among law firms in Victoria.
Victoria lawyers cannot charge contingency fees for family files or criminal matters. Victoria lawyers have an approved contingent fee agreement form and a maximum percentage allowed. Use LegalMatch’s lawyer referral service in Victoria to find a Victoria lawyers list.
How Much Will it Cost Me to Hire a Lawyer in Victoria?
There is no scale of fees for lawyers in Victoria, BC. Victoria lawyers’ fees vary between cases, lawyers, and firms. Before hiring a lawyer, discuss the costs involved and how you will be billed for the service.
The cost of having a law firm in Victoria or Victoria lawyer represent you should be discussed at the first meeting. A Victoria lawyer’s fee should be fair and reasonable. The fee will be based on several factors:
- The Victoria lawyer’s experience and skill
- The complexity of your case
- The time and effort it takes to complete the work
- The standard rate charged by other Victoria lawyers of equal standing in similar cases and circumstances
Victoria lawyers use different types of fees for their services. These include:
- Fixed or flat fees: A fixed or flat fee is charged for a certain type of legal work, such as drafting a will or a real estate transaction.
- Hourly fee: An hourly fee is a rate a lawyer charges for services on an hourly basis. Hourly fees vary depending on the lawyer and the nature of the case involved. If your lawyer charges an hourly fee, you will be billed according to the lawyer’s number of hours on your legal issue.
- Retainer fee: A retainer fee is a deposit made in advance to cover the early costs of your case. Retainer fees are a payment towards your final bill. As the work progresses, you may be required to pay another retainer to cover ongoing costs.
- Contingency fee: If your lawyer operates by using a contingency fee, you will not be charged until your case is settled. The lawyer will then take a percentage of the settlement money you receive. You may be required to pay for disbursements before settlement.
Before hiring a lawyer in Victoria, use LegalMatch to find a Victoria lawyers list. Then, find out:
- The types of fees the lawyer will charge
- The basis for the lawyer’s charges
- An estimate, in writing, of the cost to settle your legal issue, including costs in addition to legal fees
- If another lawyer or professional will be involved in resolving your issue and how much they charge
- The cost of a retainer if one is required
- What the lawyer’s percentage will be if services are provided under a contingency fee arraignment
- The likelihood of anything happening that may increase the cost of services
- How you will be informed if your cost is increased due to unusual or unforeseen circumstances so that you can make an informed decision
- The lawyer’s billing schedule
- When you are expected to pay
- Your options for payment of fees and other costs
- The cost of interest charges on overdue accounts
- Suggestions for keeping your costs down
If you are trying to find a lawyer in Victoria, use LegalMatch’s Victoria lawyer referral service. A Victoria lawyer might not be able to give you an exact cost for legal services during your first meeting. However, the lawyer should be able to provide an approximate amount based on the cost of conducting cases similar to yours. Be prepared for additional costs as the work continues on your matter
Sometimes, a lawyer will give you a statement of account while your matter is ongoing. You may be expected to pay upon receipt of this statement. On other occasions, a lawyer will wait until your matter is concluded before sending you a bill. You should discuss all bills with your lawyer, including any concerns you have about the amount of your bill.
How Can I Find a Lawyer in Victoria?
Use LegalMatch’s lawyer lookup to find a lawyer in Victoria. By using LegalMatch, you can find the best law firms in Victoria through our lawyer lookup service. Browse through the best lawyers on our Victoria lawyers list. Use LegalMatch today. Remember that all communications between you and your lawyer regarding your representation are protected by the attorney-client privilege.