The cost of having lawyers in London, Ontario represent you should be discussed during your first meeting. London, Ontario lawyer’s fees should be fair and reasonable. Lawyer’s fees will be based on:
- The lawyer’s experience and skill
- The difficulty of the matter
- The time and effort it will take to complete the work
- The standard rate charged by other London lawyers of equal standing in similar matters and circumstances
Some common types of lawyers fees are:
- Fixed or flat fees: These are fees that are charged for a certain type of legal work, such as a will or real estate transaction.
- Hourly rate fee: The rate a lawyer in London, Ontario charges for services on an hourly basis. The rates may vary depending on the lawyer and the nature of the work involved. You will be charged according to the number of hours your London, Ontario lawyer spends on your legal issue, which could include time spent on the phone, in meetings, conducting research, preparing documents, corresponding with others, appearing in court, or anything else involving your file.
- Retainer fee: A deposit made in advance to cover your early costs. Retainer fees are payments towards your final bill. As the work progresses, you may be required to pay another retainer to cover ongoing costs.
- Contingency fee: You will not be charged a fee until your case is settled. Contingency fees are typically a percentage of the money you as a client receive. If no money is recovered during your case, the lawyer collects no fee. However, the contingency fee agreement may require you to pay your lawyer’s disbursements regardless of the case’s outcome. Contingency fees are most commonly used in personal injury cases.
- Expenses: Expenses are paid for by your London, Ontario lawyer on your behalf. Expenses may include land title fees, court filing fees, courier charges, photocopying costs, and feeds paid for expert reports. Expenses are often referred to as disbursements. You are responsible for these expenses, and they will be included in your bill.
- GST: lawyers are required to charge GST on all fees and most expenses.
Find out from lawyers in London, Ontario::
- The types of fees they will charge
- The basis for their charges
- An estimate, in writing, of the cost to conclude your legal issue, including costs in addition to legal fees
- If another lawyer or expert will be involved in resolving your case and how much they charge
- The cost of a retainer if one is needed
- What the lawyer’s percentage will be if services are provided under a contingency fee arrangement
- The likelihood of anything happening that may increase the cost to resolve your case
- How you will be informed if your cost increases due to unusual or unforeseen circumstances
- The lawyer’s billing schedule and when you are expected to make payments
- Your options for payment of fees and other expenses
- The cost of interest on overdue accounts
- Suggestions for keeping your costs low
Lawyers in London, Ontario will likely not be able to give you an exact price for their legal services during your first meeting. However, your lawyer should be able to provide an approximate amount based on the cost of resolving matters similar to yours. Be prepared for additional costs as the work proceeds on your case.
If your London, Ontario lawyer does not already do so, you should request a retainer agreement with a written estimate for the services that will be provided, along with a fee agreement. These agreements will help to avoid disputes later on. Remember, all conversations you have with your lawyer pertaining to your legal representation are protected by attorney-client privilege.
You should discuss your bills with your lawyer and voice any concerns you have about the amount of the bill.
What Should I Do If My Lawyer’s Fees Are Too High?
Your London, Ontario lawyer’s bill should show the services provided, who did the work, and the costs associated with the service. Your lawyer’s bill should also show the cost of disbursements, which are expenses paid by your lawyer while working on your case. You will be expected to reimburse your lawyer for these expenses.
If you think you have been billed an unreasonable amount or do not understand some items on the bill, ask your London, Ontario lawyer to explain the charges.
How Can I Prepare to Meet With a Lawyer?
If you are trying to find the best lawyers in London, Ontario, one of the most important things to know beforehand is that any communication between you and your lawyer related to legal advice is confidential. Any legal advice between you and your London, Ontario lawyers cannot be shared with anyone else without your consent.
Your London, Ontario lawyer must hold all information concerning you and your affairs that they receive during your professional relationship in strict confidence. A lawyer has the duty not to allow any other interests to impact their judgment, advice, or action on your behalf.
Who’s Who in a Lawyer’s Office?
Some of the best lawyers in London, Ontario, work by themselves, while other lawyers work with other lawyers. Some of the people you might meet in a London, Ontario law firm may include:
- Lawyers: Lawyers in London, Ontario, have a degree from an approved university and have been approved by the Law Society to practice law in London. Your lawyer may assign some of the tasks they perform for you to other lawyers or to staff in their office.
- Legal assistant and paralegals: Specially trained staff who work under the London lawyer’s supervision.
- Law students: Law students may train with lawyers to become a particular type of lawyer. They often do research and conduct interviews. Law students are also allowed to represent you on certain court matters.
How Can I Find a Lawyer in London?
If you are trying to find the best lawyers in London, Ontario, consider using LegalMatch’s attorney database. By using LegalMatch, you can search for a London, Ontario lawyer by name or based on the specific issues in your case. There is no fee to schedule a consultation, and our services are entirely confidential. Use LegalMatch to find lawyers in London, Ontario today.