Costs generally

The fees that lawyers can charge is governed by the Legal Profession Act 2008.

The Solicitors Costs Determination 2015 set out maximum hourly rates and scales of costs.  It has effect from 1 July 2015.  The Determination provides for the following hourly rates (inclusive of GST):

Practitioner (admitted five years or more)

 

$484 per hour

Practitioner (admitted less than five years)

 

$341 per hour

Clerk/Paralegal

 

$231 per hour

Lawyers are not restricted to these hourly rates and can contract with clients for an hourly rate in excess of those provided for in the Determination.

If the legal costs in a matter, excluding disbursements, are not likely to exceed $1650 (inclusive of GST) a cost agreement and costs disclosure is not required.

The "Basic" Will options will not exceed this amount.  For the others, it depends upon your circumstances and the decisions you make.

At the conclusion of first interview I will be in a position to estimate the costs for you.

Where the costs are likely to exceed $1650 (inclusive of GST), lawyers are required to enter into costs agreements with clients.  When it is likely that the costs will exceed $1650 (inclusive of GST) then you will be provided with:

  1. a costs agreement from the law practice;
  2. the Explanatory Notes for Clients in relation to the costs agreement; and
  3. the Costs Disclosure.

These pro forma documents can be accessed here:

  1. offer from the law practice;
  2. Explanatory Notes for Clients; and
  3. Costs Disclosure.