We want to make the collaboration between client and lawyer easier for you. For this purpose, we have compiled frequently asked questions regarding the remuneration.
Our remuneration
Advice from a lawyer is subject to a fee. The remuneration of lawyers is governed by the German Rechtsanwaltsvergütungsgesetz (RVG). We do not offer free advice. Therefore, initial consultations, including information by telephone, must be paid for.
If you are unsure about the remuneration, please contact us before placing an order. We will find a solution.
Initial consultation
During an initial consultation, you describe your problem, we give you an initial legal assessment and suggest possible strategies for action. The initial consultation is limited exclusively to a conversation or a short communication. We also take into account the time and effort required to prepare the initial consultation.
For consumers, the fee for verbal or written advice or information (advice) is a maximum of 249.90 Euro gross if no agreement has been made. In entrepreneurs, the remuneration is determined according to the statutory provisions, if no agreement has been made, § 34 RVG.
The agreement of a remuneration (remuneration agreement) is possible and also usual before an extensive consultation, the elaboration of a written expert opinion or during an activity as a mediator.
Please make an appointment for the consultation in our office. If you have any questions regarding our costs, please inform yourself before the consultation. Following the initial consultation, a more detailed examination of your case and a concrete examination of your documents may also be considered.
Remuneration agreement
You can make a remuneration agreement with us. Due to the different high expenditure of the respective activities, a remuneration according to time (hourly rate) proved to be appropriate. For this purpose, you agree a certain hourly rate with us. Please note: Even making telephone calls, reading e-mails and travelling to appointments takes time, which we charge for. It can be useful to agree on a time budget to limit costs.
We also offer flat rates for activities that can be planned, for example for training courses or the preparation of draft contracts.
Additional costs, including travel expenses, will be invoiced separately if they are incurred at all. In addition, we are legally entitled to make our performance dependent on an advance payment. Payment by instalments agreements are dependent on the respective mandate.
Due to professional regulations and the risk we are exposed to, we take into account at least the statutory remuneration.
Statutory remuneration
The amount of the remuneration depends on the type, risk and scope of the activity.
The fees for further commissioning and legal services are regularly based on the subject matter value of the matter, § 2 RVG. The value of the subject matter corresponds to the value of the matter (e.g. the amount of a pecuniary claim) in which the client is involved. Further indications for the value of the matter can be found in the various catalogues of the value of the dispute, for example those of administrative jurisdiction and social jurisdiction. Amount framework fees may apply differently. This applies above all to matters in social law and criminal law.
The Lawyers‘ Fees Act and the table of fees can be viewed on request at the law firm or downloaded from the Internet at gesetze-im-internet.de, as can the Annexes: List of Fees and Table of Fees.
Success fee
Sometimes it can be interesting for the client to spread the risk and provide an incentive for the lawyer to perform. The contingency fee is suitable for this. However, restrictions under professional law do not allow the lawyer to live entirely without remuneration. Therefore, we always demand a minimum fee.
Even in the event of premature settlement or agreement with the other party, additional remuneration is usually provided for under the statutory provisions.
Reimbursement of costs by third parties
Our remuneration is independent of the reason and amount of any claims against third parties. In the event of reimbursement of costs by the opposing party, a party to the proceedings, the State Treasury or the legal expenses insurance, they are usually not required to reimburse more than the statutory remuneration.
Requests for cover from the legal expenses insurance as well as the assertion of claims for reimbursement of costs constitute separate matters and must be remunerated separately.
Permanent mandates
Many clients value our legal advice. They repeatedly make use of our services. Talk to us about our special accounts.Failure fee
We practice an ordering practice with appointments to be agreed in advance. The appointment is reserved exclusively for you. We prepare ourselves for this appointment accordingly.
If you are unable to make an appointment, please cancel it at least 24 hours in advance. Otherwise, we reserve the right to charge a cancellation fee depending on the type and scope of the preparatory activities. This of course does not apply to cancellations for which we are not responsible and which are justified.
Invoices
If you have any questions or discrepancies with your invoice, please first contact the respective clerk. Many things can already be clarified in a short telephone call. Otherwise, you can of course contact one of the firm’s partners who will also check the invoice.
Electronic invoices without a qualified digital signature may be eligible for input tax deduction. The requirements for an electronic invoice are essentially the same as for a paper invoice. Electronic invoices must be stored electronically. Printout on paper does not meet the storage requirements.