From the first contact with the client, the law firm Geukens-Jennen-Wouters guarantees an open and transparent policy on costs and fees. We are at all times committed to ensuring that our rates are market-based and fair. The case manager informs the client from the outset of what he or she can expect. If necessary, the arrangements are laid down in an agreement based on the model contract drawn up by the Flemish Bar Association.
We distinguish between fees, administrative costs and costs to third parties.
The fee is the remuneration for the lawyer's intellectual performances. Usually, this fee depends on circumstances that are difficult or impossible to foresee at the outset of the case. For instance, in the course of a proceeding, several parties may intervene so that we are forced to also draw up our argumentation in relation to them. Establishing an exact price at the start of a case is not easy. However, we do try to communicate an estimate of the fees and costs that can be expected based on our experience in similar cases, be it on an entirely non-committal basis. Clear agreements are made on how the lawyer calculates his or her fees.
Four calculation methods can be applied:
- a fee per unit of time: this is an hourly rate that is determined according to the nature and importance of the case, the complexity of the case, the experience and expertise of the lawyer handling the matter, the urgency and the result obtained.
- a flat-rate method: for certain services, the fee may consist of an agreed amount. This method is possible for an assignment that has few vicissitudes (e.g. drafting an advice or a standard agreement). This special rate can also be applied to debt collection assignments. For such debt collection assignments, depending on the volume of files, we work out a tailor-made system for each client to ensure an effective and cost-efficient recovery of its undisputed invoices.
- a percentage-based method: fees correspond with a percentage of the financial value of the dispute, taking into account a degressive scale.
- a subscription method: under such method, a certain amount of money is invoiced monthly for which an agreed legal service package is offered.
Administrative costs mainly include attributable secretarial costs, for instance for setting up a case file and filing it after the case has been closed, correspondence, fax, telephone, printing and copying costs, mailing costs. All these costs are separately listed in a detailed cost statement.
Costs to third parties include the payment of charges and expenses to offices of the court, registration and mortgage offices, process servers, municipal authorities, translators, accountants/auditors and experts. In certain cases, these costs can be recovered from the party losing the legal dispute.
At the start of a case, we ask clients to pay an advance, a so-called 'provision'. The amount depends on the value of the claim, the urgency, the difficulty of the case file and the expected interventions.
Interim cost and fee statements are communicated at regular intervals. When the case is closed, a final account is drawn up, obviously taking into account the advances already paid.